Republic knocked around Hillcrest pitching, scoring 14 runs on 14 base hits and taking advantage of several Hornet miscues in the field for a 14-4 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday. The Tigers scored three runs in the first inning and four more in the second inning to take charge early
Myles Lozano started on the mound for Republic and pitched two perfect innings, striking out three, to earn the win. Freshman Preston McCracken worked three innings in relief, allowing one run on two base hits and striking out five batters. Landon Carter allowed three runs but struck out the side in his one inning of work, and Mason Mitchell worked a scoreless inning to close out the win.
In the top of the first inning, Garrett Lester walked and stole second base, then scored on a single by Gunner Ellison. Ellison stole second and scored on a single by Mason Mitchell that sneaked under the glove of Hillcrest third baseman Andrew Krueger. And Mitchell scored on an RBI single by Wyatt Woods to make the score 3-0.
In the second inning, Devon Hughes was hit by a pitch, and a Hillcrest error allowed Lester to reach base. Ellison and Harrington each drove in a run, and another run scored on a wild pitch. Woods was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make the score 7-0.
Lozano and McCracken combined to hold Hillcrest without a hit through three innings. But the Hornets started the fourth with back-to-back doubles to get on the board for the first time.
Republic added three more runs in the fifth, getting RBIs from Mitchell and and Kanon Krol. Aidan Gregory singled and scored, and Carter Nation also scored a run for the Tigers.
Gavyn Beckner drove in Brett Hendrickson in the top of the sixth to make the score 11-1.
After Hillcrest scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers finished the scoring with three more in the seventh, with Ryder Davis, Kanon Krol, and Jackson Overstreet each crossing the plate.
Republic improved to 1-0, and Hillcrest fell to 0-1. The Tigers will be back in action Monday for a double-header in Columbia. (The games were originally scheduled for Saturday.)
Line Score
Republic 340 031 1 – 14 14 0
Hillcrest 000 103 0 – 4 6 7