When the Tigers weren’t ripping the ball over and up against the fence, they were dropping the ball in front of the outfielders at Monett. It all added up to a 13-3 win for Republic over the Cubs in six innings Monday.
The Cubs led 2-0 after three innings, but Republic dominated from that point forward. The Tigers scored their first two runs in the fourth innings, tying the game 2-2. They scored four more in the fifth inning, and after Monett added a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers put up seven runs in the sixth to put the Cubs away.
Gavyn Beckner started on the mound for Republic and picked up the win. He allowed three runs – one earned – in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Beckner also slugged his first home run of the year – a solo shot in the fourth. Cole Iles pitched a scoreless inning in relief to close out the game.
Republic collected 12 hits and took advantage of two Monett errors and five walks. Vincent Pyeatt, Beckner, Ryker Harrington, Kyle Hill, Richard Potter, and Connor Sandridge each collected two base hits for the Tigers. Bryce Messier was on base three times with a hit and two walks. Kyle Hill drove in three runs to lead Republic.
Estin McBroom homered in a losing cause for Monett. Marcus Young took the loss. He allowed six runs – five earned – in four innings for the Cubs.
Republic got on the board for the first time in the fourth inning when Harrington singled to lead off and scored on a double by Hill. With two outs, courtesy runner Gunner Ellison came in to score on a wild pitch to tie the score 2-2.
In the fifth, the first three hitters – Pyeatt, Beckner, and Harrington – singled. Pyeatt scored on a throwing error and Hill tripled home Beckner and Harrington. Hill came in to score on a passed ball to give Republic a 6-2 lead.
After Monett scored a single run to make it 6-3, Republic put the game away in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs after two were out. Beckner homered with the bases empty to make it 7-3. Harrington and Hill were both hit by pitches and Hughes blooped a double into left field that scored both runners. After Ace McWatters was hit by a pitch, Messier walked and Richard Potter hit another bloop double over the head of the second baseman, scoring two more to make it 11-3. A double by Sandridge drove in Messier and Potter to give Republic its 10-run lead.
Republic is now 2-3. The Tigers play next at Parkview on Thursday.