The softball youth movement has officially begun in Republic. The freshman-heavy Lady Tigers finished third in the 16-team field at the Marion C. Early Tournament in Morrisville this weekend.
Republic’s only loss was a one-run decision in the semifinals Saturday evening against top seed and eventual tournament winner Sherwood. The Lady Marksmen finished second in the state last year, and two all-state players return for this season.
Sherwood 3, Republic 2
Saturday evening, Sherwood got a two-run homer from all-state catcher Rebekah Riffle in the first inning to jump on top 2-0. Republic answered with a single run in the top of the second inning to cut the lead in half. Addison Walker singled to lead off the inning and scored on an RBI single by Sammi Watson.
Sherwood added another run on three base hit in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead, and Republic answered again in the fourth. The Lady Tigers scored an unearned run when Walker singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and scored on an error later in the inning. That made it 3-2, but Republic didn’t threaten again.
Junior Kennedy Diggs, another all-state returner for Sherwood, struck out 15 batters in six innings of work. Piper Dishman, in her third varsity start, struck out 11 in 5 2/3 innings.
Republic 11, Nevada 10
In the nightcap against Nevada, Jenna Belcher, EmmaLee Essary, and Lilli Richerson all homered to help Republic secure third place in the tournament with an 11-10 win.. Republic scored five of its runs in the third inning and six in the seventh to pull out the win.
Another freshman pitcher, Kara Goeke, picked up her first varsity win.
The Lady Tigers banged out 18 hits. Belcher and Richerson each had three. Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs, Dishman, Walker, Watson, and Gracie Woods had two each.
