Republic’s Cameron Beck all but shut down Nixa’s powerful lineup for six innings Thursday, but the Tigers couldn’t break through and Nixa pulled away for a 4-0 win at Republic.
Beck allowed a single run in the top of the first inning, then slammed the door until the seventh. He retired 17 of 19 Nixa hitters, until the Eagles reached him for three insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
The Tigers didn’t manage much offense against Nixa starter Peyton Hannah. Hannah worked a complete-game shutout, and didn’t allow a hit until a Jacob Crosswhite single in the fourth inning. In that inning, Beck reached first base when he swung and missed at strike three, but the ball got away from Nixa’s catcher. Beck went to second base on Crosswhite’s single, but Nick Rose grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The Tigers had another chance to tie the game in the fifth. Easton Prevo reached base on an error and stole second, then reached third base on an error with only one out. But Hannah struck out Jaden Duvall and coaxed a groundout from Clayton Crowley to end the Republic threat.
Republic falls to 1-3. They play next at home on March 27 against Hillcrest.