The Lady Tigers went 4-1 at the Springfield Invitational this weekend, and there wasn’t much drama to any of the five games. Republic won four games by an average score of 15-3. The only blemish was a 15-0 loss to Rogersville.
Republic 14 West Plains 5
A.J. Fenske walloped two home runs, and an eight-run third inning put the game away in the tournament opener. Fenske and Kaitlyn Ragsdale had three hits apiece. Avery Romans got the win in relief.
Republic 16 Branson 2
The Lady Tigers exploded for nine first-inning runs and never looked back in a blowout against Branson. Emi Essary was 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Fenske also had three hits and drove in four runs. Mara Lakey struck out seven in the five-inning complete game.
Republic 16 Camdenton 2
The top of the order was deadly in a rout of Camdenton. Leadoff hitter Ragsdale and two-spot hitter Jenna Belcher were a combined 6-for-9 with six runs scored and five runs batted in. Fenske hit another home run, and even pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Lakey also had three hits.
Rogersville 15 Republic 0
Things went south in a 15-0 loss to Rogersville, whom Republic had beaten (8-5) a week ago. Republic managed just two hits and Emi Essary took the loss in circle.
Republic 14 Reeds Spring 0
Avery Romans capped the weekend by pitching a five-inning shutout and going 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Republic to a 14-0 win over Reeds Spring. Essary homered again, Belcher drove in four runs, and Ragsdale had three hits, scored three runs, and stole two bases.
Republic’s record is 11-4. Through 15 games, Fenske has seven home runs, Lakey has six, and Essary has five — all in the past week. Ragsdale has 24 stolen bases as she chases her own single-season record of 42.