Livi Collier continued her torrid hitting start, going 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and a run scored, as the Lady Tigers beat Buffalo 12-2 in five innings to stay unbeaten. Kaitlyn Ragsdale also had three base hits, scored two runs, and drove in a run. She and Collier both stole a base, as well.
The Lady Tigers got their best pitching performance of the year from Avery Romans, who settled down after allowing two runs in the first inning, shutting out Buffalo the rest of the way. Romans struck out four and walked one, allowing five hits in five innings of work. She was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base.
It was the third straight comeback win for Republic, who fell behind 2-0 after the first half-inning. The Lady Tigers scored a single run in the bottom half of the inning when Ragsdale doubled, stole third, and came home on a wild throw.
Republic took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the second. Riley Laub and Emma White walked before Ragsdale bunted for a single to load the bases. Laub scored on a groundout by Megan Weis, then White and Ragsdale scored on a single by Collier.
The Lady Tigers exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning, starting with two outs and no runners on base. Higgins doubled and Collier singled her home, then A.J. Fenske doubled home Collier. Fenske scored on a single by Megan Thorne. After Romans singled, Laub drove home Thorne with another hit and Romans advanced to third. Romans stole home when the Buffalo defense tried to catch Laub at second base on a delayed steal, and Laub later scored on a passed ball. White walked and advanced to second base on an error, and Ragsdale reached on another base hit to score White.
Through three games, Republic is averaging nearly 10 runs per game on offense. Collier is 8-for-10 with two doubles and two home runs, for a slugging percentage of 1.600. Ragsdale is 8-for-12 with five runs scored and four stolen bases. As a team, Republic’s on-base percentage is .500, meaning they’ve reached base safely in half their plate appearances.
Republic travels to Neosho for a conference game on September 4.