Republic softball bounced back from two conference losses earlier in the week to win three of four games at the Springfield Invitational Tournament. A loss in the tournament opener stretched Republic’s losing streak to three games before they won three straight. The Lady Tigers were leading their fifth game of the weekend Saturday when it was canceled because of rain and lightning. Republic pulled off a triple play in its game against West Plains.
Bolivar 8, Republic 3
Republic opened the tournament with a 8-3 loss to Bolivar – the same team they had beaten 8-4 earlier in the week. Republic managed just four hits. Two of them came from Avery Romans, who also drove in two of Republic’s three runs.
Republic 1, Fatima 0
In their second game Friday, Republic turned it around with a win over Fatima. The game was scoreless until Republic broke on top with the only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kaitlyn Ragsdale singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Megan Weis. Romans pitched a complete-game shutout. She only allowed six hits and she struck out three and walked one. Riley Laub had two hits for the Lady Tigers.
Republic 12, West Plains 5
Saturday against West Plains, Republic banged out 18 hits in a 12-5 victory. Katie Anderson and AJ Fenske both homered. Anderson, Ragsdale, and Emma White had three hits apiece for the Lady Tigers. Romans got the win, pitching six innings and allowing five runs – but none of them earned – and striking out four.
The game featured the defensive play of the season so far, when Republic pulled off a triple play in the bottom of the fourth. After the first two batters reached base, Kylie Kittrell hit a hard ground ball to Ragsdale at shortstop. Ragsdale tagged the runner between second and third and tossed to White for the force out at second base. White relayed the ball to first to complete the triple play.
Republic 12, St. Teresa’s Academy 3
Republic followed that up with another 12-run outburst, this time against St. Teresa’s Academy in a 12-3 win. The Lady Tigers rapped another 17 base hits in the win, breaking the game open with five runs in the top of the sixth. Romans had four hits, and Ragsdale and Weis had three each. Ragsdale scored three runs and Weis drove in three. Fenske was the winning pitcher, allowing three runs – just one earned – in six innings of work. She struck out four and walked two.
Republic 5, Nixa 0 (Incomplete)
The Lady Tigers led 5-0 when the weather washed out their game with conference rival Nixa. The Lady Tigers had scored five runs in the top of the fifth before the results were washed away.
