Republic split two games at home during the Lead-Off Classic Friday, beating Lebanon 3-2 in extra innings, then losing to Marquette, 8-3.
In the afternoon game against Lebanon, Gavyn Beckner pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out ten, but was stuck with a no-decision when the Tigers failed to push a run across the plate.
In the top of the eighth, Lebanon scored two runs off reliever Ace McWatters, but Republic answered by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. The tying run scored on when Tyler Burks was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The winning run scored on a bases-loaded walk to Cole Iles.
In the late game, Marquette scored five runs in the third inning, and that made the difference in an 8-3 win. Each team had scored a run in the first inning, and Republic took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second before Marquette exploded for five in the third. Gunner Ellison was on base four times, with three base hits and a walk, in a losing cause for the Tigers. Trace Harrington tripled, singled, and walked.
Cole Iles pitched five innings, allowing six runs (five earned) to take the loss. He falls to 1-1. Rusty Groves got the win on the mound for Marquette.
The double-header split leaves Republic’s record at 3-2. They’ll play twice Saturday at Willard – against Jackson at 10 am and against Glendale at 5:30 pm.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.