A pair of unearned runs made the difference in Republic’s 3-2 loss to Neosho at home Tuesday. The Wildcats scored twice in the third inning after an outfield error to take the lead for good.
Republic got a strong pitching performance from Jared Hughes, who allowed a run in the top of the first inning, then settled down. Hughes pitched six innings and allowed just one earned run on six base hits. He struck out nine and walked three. Vincent Pyeatt pitched a scoreless inning in relief.
Neosho took the lead 1-0 in the first inning after a leadoff walk and a double, followed by a wild pitch. Hughes worked out of trouble by striking out the next two hitters and getting a fly ball out to end the inning.
The Tigers briefly took the lead in the bottom of the second. With two outs and nobody on, Pyeatt singled and Nick Rose doubled. Jaden Duvall followed that up with an RBI single.
In the top of the third, Neosho finished the scoring with its two unearned runs, and Wildcats pitcher jared Stephens made it hold up. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter, spreading out eight hits through his seven innings of work.
Pyeatt and Kyle Hill each had two hits for the Tigers. Rose and Duvall each drove in a run.
Republic falls to 4-7 overall. The Tigers host Carl Junction Thursday.