Mara Lakey slugged two home runs and the Lady Tigers held off a late rally to beat Monett 7-6 in the first game of the season at home Friday. Trailing 7-2 in the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Cubs scored four runs and had the tying run in scoring position before Avery Romans retired the final batter.
Monett jumped on top 2-0 with single runs in the first and second innings before the Lady Tigers got on the board with two in the bottom of the second. Lakey homered to lead off the inning, cutting Monett’s lead in half. After Emmalee Essary doubled and went to third on a single by Ella Tattershall, an RBI groundout by Jaci West scored Essary and tied the game.
Republic scored three more in the third. Jenna Belcher led off with a bunt single, stole second, and scored on a single by Romans. Lakey followed with her second blast of the night to make the score 5-2.
The Lady Tigers added two more in the fifth when A.J. Fenske walked and scored on a double by Romans. Romans came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Lakey to give Republic a 7-2 lead.
The Lady Tigers had nine hits, including two each by Romans and Lakey, who drove in four. Fenske and Kaitlyn Ragsdale each reached base twice with a hit and a walk.
Romans picked up the win, going seven innings, striking out five, walking one, and allowing just one earned run.