Republic scored four runs in the first inning to get things rolling in a 7-3 win over Willard Wednesday night. Republic collected 11 base hits, including a home run by Jaiden Gibbs, to pick up its tenth win of the season.
In the first inning, a one-out double by Megan Weis got the ball rolling. AJ Fenske singled and Weis went to third. After Weis scored on a passed ball, Katie Anderson walked. Fenske then scored on another passed ball, and Avery Romans walked. Emma White singled home two runners to round out the first-inning rally.
In the fourth inning, Kaitlyn Ragsdale singled home Zoe Ennes, then scored on an error later in the inning to make the score 6-0.
The only hiccup for Republic came in the top of the sixth inning. Romans hit three batters, leading to three runs for Willard, and cutting Republic’s lead in half.
In the bottom part of the inning, though, Gibbs tacked on an insurance run with a solo homer. It was her second of the season.
Willard loaded the bases with three straight singles to start the 7th, bringing the tying run to the plate, but a fly-out to center, a strikeout, and a 6-4 force-out at second base ended the threat.
Ragsdale, Weis, Fenske, and Romans each had two hits for the Lady Tigers. Romans pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs on nine hits. She struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.
Republic improves to 10-4. The Lady Tigers host Joplin Thursday.