Republic scored five runs over the final three innings and got a strong relief performance from Mara Lakey to beat Branson Tuesday, 8-4. The Lady Tigers banged out 13 hits in rebounding from a road loss at Reeds Spring Monday. AJ Fenske led the way with three base hits and two runs batted in for Republic.
The teams were tied 3-3 when Republic scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead. Zoe Ennes reached on an error, Kaitlyn Ragsdale singled, and Megan Weis sacrificed before Fenske drove in both runners with a base hit to left field.
After Branson scored a run to cut the lead to 5-4, the Lady Tigers tacked on three more in the seventh. Katie Anderson doubled home Weis and Fenske after they both singled to lead off the inning. Anderson scored on a sacrifice fly by Mara Lakey.
Ragsdale, Weis, Anderson, and Avery Romans had two hits apiece for Republic. Ennes was 1-for-3 and scored twice.
Romans pitched three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. Lakey relieved her in the fourth inning, working four innings and allowing one run on four hits and a walk. She struck out two.
The Lady Tigers improve to 8-4.