A seven-run inning by Rogersville helped the Wildcats spoil Senior Night for the baseball Tigers in a 13-6 decision at Republic Tuesday night.
The Tigers led 4-2 heading into the top of the fifth inning, and that’s when the Wildcats caught fire at the plate. Rogersville scored four runs to take a 6-4 lead , held Republic scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, then exploded for seven runs in the top of the sixth. Republic scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but that was as close as they’d get.
Josh Gentry was 4-for-4 for Republic. Gus Bauer was 2-for-3 with two doubles and a walk. Austin Atkins also had two hits.
The loss marked a disappointing final home game for retiring head coach Howard Quigley, but he says he treated the night like one of many he’s experienced throughout his career.
“It’s just another game. I’ve been doing it for 31 years—and since I was six years old, actually, so going to the ball field and playing ball is just kind of what I grew up doing with my brothers, and what I’ve been doing since then,” he says.
After the game, Republic recognized its four seniors: Chase Igert, Josh Gentry, Blake Messier, and Austin Atkins. Quigley says despite a disappointing win-loss record, he can’t fault the senior class.
“They’ve come out and worked hard every game. They hustle every play. They’ve provided very good leadership for the young kids, and we’ve got plenty of them,” Quigley says. “You can’t do anything but give them praises.”
Republic falls to 4-15. The Tigers play at Springfield Catholic Wednesday night.
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American Family Baseball Tiger of the Game
It would be hard for Josh Gentry to celebrate Senior Night with a better game at the plate than he had. Gentry was a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored, and in his last game on Republic’s home field, he was our American Family Baseball Tiger of the Game.
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