Republic’s Rachel Rook and Willard’s Bridget Rippe went head-to-head in a duel between two of the Ozarks’ best pitchers. In the end, it was Rook and Republic’s other seniors who came through in a 2-1 victory, clinching Republic’s second straight conference title and second straight undefeated season in the Central Ozark Conference Large Division.
“That was our first goal going into the season,” says coach Lee Dishman. “We’ve gone two years in a row without being beat in the COC, and that’s a tough task. I attribute that a lot to Rachel Rook and our senior class stepping up and doing things right.”
Senior Sydney Phillips delivered a big hit, driving home Kami Holt with the go-ahead run on a two-out single into left field in the top of the 7th inning.
“Bridget’s a really good pitcher. You’ve got to really prepare yourself,” Phillips says. “I was just thinking wherever she throws it, just hit it that direction. She threw me outside and I hit it.”
In the bottom of the inning, it was Holt’s turn from her position at shortstop. She fielded a ball that looped over the head of third baseman Ally Stolte, planted, and threw home to gun down the tying run at the plate, ending the game.
“That’s a nerve-wracking play right there,” says Dishman. “Kami just made a heads-up play, and (catcher Julia Higgins) made a really good play, picking it up off the ground and tagging the girl out. We’ll take a win any day like that.”
“(Winning the COC is) a big thing,” says Phillips. “People are always doubting us, and to prove…that we can go out and perform is a big thing to us.”
Rook allowed one unearned run, striking out eight batters and walking one.
Republic’s first run came when Holt tripled leading off the game, then scored on an error. Willard tied it in the 4th after a single, a hit batter, and a two-out error by Holt.
Republic’s last conference loss in the regular season was September 11, 2014, against Ozark. The Lady Tigers are now 17-6 overall.
The Lady Tigers have two regular-season games remaining — on the road at McDonald County Thursday and home against Rogersville.