Willard took advantage of Republic defensive mistakes to score three runs in the fifth inning, and that was enough to earn a 4-2 win at Republic Tuesday night.
Austin Atkins didn’t allow a base hit through the first four innings, but in the fifth, Willard put together back-to-back hits to open the inning. After an error by left fielder Gus Bauer, three more base hits plated three runs, giving Willard a 3-1 lead.
Republic had broken on top in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Bauer. The Tigers loaded the bases in the fifth inning and scored a run when Atkins was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, but couldn’t do any more damage.
Willard added an insurance run in the seventh inning to make the score 4-2.
Republic managed just six hits on the night–two of them by Bauer.
Atkins suffered the tough-luck pitching loss, allowing three runs (one earned) in six innings. He struck out eight and walked three.
Republic falls to 4-10.
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American Family Baseball Tiger of the Game
Austin Atkins turned in a strong start on the mound, and he was solid at the plate as well. Atkins reached base three times — once on a base hit and twice drawing walks. He allowed just one earned run in six innings of work, and he’s our American National Baseball Tiger of the Game.
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