Republic took advantage of four Nixa errors, scoring four unearned runs to beat the Lady Eagles 6-4 at Nixa Tuesday. A.J. Fenske led Republic with three base hits and scored twice.
The Lady Tigers scored three runs in the top of the first. The rally started when Kaitlyn Ragsdale singled and stole second base, her 16th steal of the season. After Jenna Belcher bunted Ragsdale to third, Fenske drove her in with a single. Avery Romans and Mara Lakey were both hit by pitches to load the bases, and two runs scored when Emi Essary reached on an error.
Nixa got two runs back in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer by Emma Vincent, then took a 4-3 lead in the second inning on a squeeze play and an RBI groundout.
Republic grabbed the lead back for good in the top of the fifth. Jaci West reached on an error to lead off and went to third on a single by Fenske. The scored on another Nixa error, and later in the inning, Emma White walked with the bases loaded to force in a run and put Republic ahead 5-4.
The Lady Tigers scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Mara Lakey drove in Gracie Woods.
Mara Lakey picked up the win in relief after entering the game in the third inning. Nixa knocked Avery Romans out of the circle with four runs in the first two innings. Lakey shut out the Lady Eagles the rest of the way, striking out three, walking one, and allowing three hits.
Republic improves to 6-2. The Lady Tigers host Carthage Wednesday and Webb City Thursday.
