On a night when Republic honored its softball seniors, two of them did what they do best.
Rachel Rook struck out a season-high 17 batters and Kami Holt slugged a home run to help lead Republic to a 3-1 win over Carthage on Senior Night Thursday. Junior Ally Stolte also joined the party, hitting a two-run homer that turned out to be the difference in the game. It was the third straight game with a home run for Stolte.
“I can remember Kami and Rachel being 8th graders and little bitty girls, just coming out here and working out with the high school girls,” says coach Lee Dishman. ”To see them progress and grow up is amazing, and they're…good young ladies, too. Not only good athletes, they're good quality ladies in the classroom and out in the community.”
After the game, Republic honored Rook, Holt, Taylor Hulland, Sydney Phillips, and Alyssa Roth. While Rook and Holt have garnered much of the attention with their record-breaking careers, Dishman says the entire senior class has earned its success.
“A girl like Alyssa Roth, and Sydney Phillips, and Taylor (Hulland) that moved in—they're just grinders. They do things right on the field, they execute real well, and they're leaders. You watch a girl like Sydney Phillips for four years—she hustles everywhere she goes. She's worked her tail off. She's a three-year starter now for us, and doing real well.”
Hulland could have had a rough season, joining a new team after moving to Republic right before her senior year in high school. Instead of treating her as an outsider, the team has accepted her.
“This is the best year I've had, honestly. I haven't played the best, but it's the best team. I couldn't ask for anything better. I'm so glad I came here. I wish I would've came here 4 years ago,” she says. “They're just fun to be around. They pick you up no matter how bad you do. They're just amazing. I love them all.”
Stolte, who moved to Republic a couple of years ago, says she wants to make this season as special as possible for the seniors ahead of her.
“This senior class is very special to me. They're my best friends. When I came here, they just took me under their wing. I've never felt left out with them. They're just my best friends, and I want to make this season the best for them. They deserve it.”
Republic is now 14-3. They play in the Springfield Invitational this weekend.