Addison Walker proved she’s not just a singles hitter in the fifth inning — then she hit a single a few innings later to win the game for Republic Wednesday night. Walker drove in both Lady Tiger runs in an eight-inning, 2-1 victory over Marion C. Early to ensure a happy home opener.
The visiting Panthers scored their only run of the game in the first inning on an RBI double by Hailey Presley.
“I was nervous at the beginning, to be honest,” said freshman starting pitcher Piper Dishman. “It was my first home opener as a freshman, but it was okay.”
For a while, it looked like Presley — the starting pitcher for Marion C. Early — was going to make that stand up. She used a devastating change-up to keep Republic’s free swingers off-balance, and she had Republic shut out through four innings when Walker led off the bottom of the fifth.
Walker lined a pitch over the left-centerfield fence to start the inning, tying the game and giving Republic new life. The Lady Tigers took advantage of the momentum to load the bases in that inning, but failed to take the lead.
Dishman settled down after a rocky first inning. She allowed a single runner in the second and third innings, then pitched out of a jam in the fourth by striking out Haley Madewell and Miya Bess after runners reached second and third with one out.
Walker doubled and was stranded in the sixth, then had another opportunity for heroics in the bottom of the eighth. Jenna Belcher reached base leading off and eventually advanced to second before Walker came to the plate with two out. Walker guided an outside pitch over the first baseman’s head into right field for the game-winning RBI.
Seeing the confidence her teammates have in her has helped her play better, she said. “I think that’s very helpful with my team behind me. They are confident in me, so that helps me be confident in myself.”
Walker said she didn’t even know she had connected for a home run at first, because the sun made the ball hard to see. When she heard her teammates cheering, she realized it had gone out.
Walker finished 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and a run scored. EmmaLee Essary also had two hits for Republic.
Dishman pitched eight innings, allowing one run on four base hits. She struck out 12 and walked two to pick up the win. She’s 3-1 with 43 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings.
Republic improves to 4-1.