Republic softball returned to Central Ozark Conference play with a road win at Branson Tuesday. A three-run seventh inning ended up being decisive in a 9-6 victory.
The Lady Tigers led most of the night after scoring three in the top of the second. The score was 6-1 after five innings, but Branson scored three in the bottom of the sixth to pull within two runs at 6-4.
In the seventh, Ella Young doubled home two runs and Addison Walker drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, giving Republic a cushion going into the bottom of the seventh. Branson scored two runs, but couldn’t get any closer.
Mara Lakey picked up the win. She allowed six runs, but none of them were earned, as Republic committed six errors.
Lakey Walker each had two base hits, and Walker drove in three runs.
The win improved Republic’s record to 9-6 after a busy weekend at the Ozark Fall Festival Tournament. The Lady Tigers won two games and lost three during that tournament Friday and Saturday.
Republic 8, Poplar Bluff 7
Republic opened the tournament with a walk-off win, thanks to a five-run seventh inning. Emma Robinson was down to her last strike when she singled, scoring two runs to cap the rally, giving Republic an 8-7 win. Ella Young and Ella Tattershall each had two hits for the Lady Tigers, and Mara Lakey was the winning pitcher.
Ray-Pec 8, Republic 7
Republic was on the losing end of an 8-7 decision in its second game of the day Friday. Raymore-Peculiar scored a run in the top of the eighth inning to pull out the victory. The Lady Tigers had led 7-6 until Ray-Pec added a single run in the sixth inning to tie the game. Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs had two base hits and two RBIs to lead Republic at the plate.
Grain Valley 19, Republic 2
Playing its third game of the day, Republic got knocked around by Grain Valley, 19-2. The Eagles racked up 14 base hits and hit two homers, taking advantage of five Republic errors.
Rolla 9, Republic 7
Saturday started with a rough defensive outing for Republic. The Lady Tigers made five errors for the second game in a row, losing to Rolla 9-6. It was the second loss to Rolla in two weeks for Republic. Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs again had two base hits for the Lady Tigers. EmmaLee Essary drove in two runs. Starting pitcher Mara Lakey suffered the loss.
Republic 16, Monett 2
The Lady Tigers wrapped up their busy weekend with a blowout win over Monett, 16-2. Jenna Belcher had two hits, scored twice, and drove in three runs. EmmaLee Essary and Ella Young also had two hits for Republic, and Mara Lakey homered. Lakey was the winning pitcher, working 3 1/3 shutout inningsin relief of Essary.
