Nixa scored nine runs in the bottom of the 4th inning to take a 9-1 lead. That’s right where the Lady Tigers wanted them. Republic answered with a seven-run rally in the top of the 5th, tied the game 10-10 with two more runs in the 6th, then scored three in the 8th to pull out a 13-10 win.
The Lady Tigers slugged two home runs along the comeback trail — both Julia Higgins and Livi Collier went deep for Republic. But just about everyone else got in on the action, as well.
Freshman phenom Kaitlyn Snyder was 4-for-5. Every time she reached base, she scored. And she stole two more bases, bringing her season total to 14—more than halfway to the single-season school record of 27 through only eight games.
After Nixa jumped on top 9-1, Republic immediately fought back. Savana Smith, Megan Weis, Ragsdale, and Ally Stolte led off the inning with four straight singles, then Collier reached on an error. After Higgins walked to load the bases, Megan Thorne ripped a base hit, and an error in the outfield cleared the bases, cutting the lead to 9-8.
Nixa scored another run in the bottom of the inning, but Republic wasn’t finished. Ragsdale led off with another hit, and two outs later, Higgins lofted a high fly ball over the tall right-field fence, tying the game 10-10.
In the top of the 8th, another single by Ragsdale started things off. Stolte singled, and an outfield error allowed Ragsdale to score. Collier followed that up with a line shot over the left field fence to give Republic a three-run cushion, 13-10.
Collier, Stolte, and Higgins had two hits apiece for the Lady Tigers, who had 13 hits in all. Avery Romans struggled in one bad inning, but otherwise pitched well, and picked up the win. Collier came on in relief in the bottom of the 8th to shut down Nixa and get the save.
Republic improves to 6-2. The Lady Tigers compete in the Ozark Fall Festival Tournament this weekend.
