A lot of things have changed for the Republic softball program over the years, but the winning has not. That winning tradition took the spotlight Monday night, when many of the program’s past stars gathered for Republic’s first Alumni Night. And the current players put on a show for their predecessors, knocking off Buffalo 10-0 to carry on the program’s winning tradition.
“Republic softball is one of the best, tradition-wise, in southwest Missouri. You’ve got girls who are showing up who won 12 district championships and nine COC titles combined with Coach Thorne,” says coach Lee Dishman. “It’s good for our girls to recognize that these still have a little investment in and pay attention to what they do.”
Megan Thorne, the daughter of the former coach, had a big night as many of her father’s former players looked on. She had two hits and a walk, and scored two runs. She also just missed a home down the left field line.
Livi Collier pitched a shutout, working six innings and allowing just three base hits. She walked two and struck out five.
Red-hot freshman Kaitlyn Ragsdale continued her scorching start in the leadoff spot. She had three more hits and three stolen bases. Ragsdale is hitting .474 and has nine stolen bases in just five games. The school record for stolen bases in a season is 27.
Megan Weis drove in three runs, and AJ Fenske drew three walks and scored a couple of runs.
Senior Savana Smith also knocked in a run to contribute to the cause, and threw a Buffalo runner out at the plate from her spot in left field to preserve the shutout.
“I’m still very much in second baseman mode, so I kind of fielded it like a second baseman and I kind of threw it like a second baseman,” says Smith. “But it was on the line, so it took that hop that I needed it to take. Whatever works–I just got rid of it quick.”
Smith says it was a good feeling to have a big game in front of the Lady Tiger alumni who returned Monday.
“It was really cool. These are some of the girls I’ve heard about. I’ve never played with them, but I’ve heard about them. And there were some girls who I’ve played with and I’ve always looked up to, and I love them. It’s good to say, ‘Look at me now. I’ve stepped up. I’m trying to be the player they need me to be, and it’s a good feeling.'”
Republic improves to 4-1. They host Carl Junction in their Central Ozark Conference opener Thursday.