Republic’s Chaos Kids walked it off again. The Tigers came from behind three times to knock off state-ranked Willard at home Monday, 6-5. Garrett Lester ripped a line drive over the head of Willard center fielder Kyle Beeman to score Wyatt Woods for the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth inning. Before that, Republic had been down to its last out twice, but survived.
Watch Lester’s Walk-off Hit:
Republic trailed 2-0 after the top of the first inning but scored twice to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the first. Willard starter Russell Roweton walked five batters, including Connor Sandridge and Wyatt Woods with the bases loaded.
Willard again took the lead in the sixth inning, 4-2, thanks to an RBI single by Cooper Wilken and a sacrifice fly by Cooper Hampton. But Republic battled back in the bottom of the seventh. Devon Hughes doubled and Andrew Schroeder walked to put runners at first and second. After Wilken, pitching in relief for Willard, retired Lester and Gunner Ellison, Republic was down to its last out. But Gavyn Beckner lined a single into left field to score Hughes, making the score 4-3. Trace Harrington followed that with a double to tie the score.
Willard scored a single run in the top of the eighth to retake the lead, 5-4. In the bottom of the eighth, Republic’s first two batters reached on errors. After Devon Hughes flew out to left, Andrew Schroeder slapped a single to center field to tie the game. With the outfield drawn in to avoid a sacrifice fly, Lester ripped a line drive over the head of the center fielder to win it.
The victory was reminiscent of a crazy comeback at Columbia Rock Bridge when the Tigers were down to their last out six times in the seventh inning but came back to win in nine. It’s Republic’s second win over a state-ranked opponent in five games.
Myles Lozano (2-0) picked up the win in relief, allowing three runs — one earned — on five base hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two. Lozano has two wins and a save in Republic’s first four victories this season.
Lozano relieved Caide White, who pitched 3 1/3 innings, striking out five, walking two, and allowing two runs on two hits. Cooper Wilken was the losing pitcher for Willard.
Lester, Beckner, and Harrington each had two hits for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1. Republic is scheduled to play Kennett Wednesday at Nixa.