(File photo by David Brazeal)

Tigers Strike Out in Home Opener

Rogersville pitchers racked up 15 strikeouts to hand Republic its first loss of the season, an 11-3 decision in the Tigers’ home opener Wednesday night. Brody McNeil worked four innings, striking out 11 to earn the win for the Wildcats.

The Tigers broke on top 1-0 when Gunner Ellison singled, stole second base, and scored on an RBI single by Gavyn Beckner.

Rogersville took the lead with two runs in the third inning and added four more in the top of the fourth to make the score 6-1.

Trace Harrington led off the bottom of the fourth with a shot over the left field fence, his first home run of the season, to cut the lead to 6-2.

The Wildcats scored three times in the fifth. Republic scored its final run in the sixth when Mason Mitchell reached on an error and courtesy runner Mason Fleetwood came around to score on an RBI groundout by Devon Hughes. Rogersville added two runs in the seventh to account for the final score.

Losing pitcher Gunner Ellison pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs — only three of them earned. He struck out four, walked two, and allowed four hits. Mason Mitchell worked 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs — two earned — on four hits. He walked six and struck out two.

The Tigers committed four errors in suffering their first loss. Their record is 3-1, and they’re scheduled to play Monett Thursday.

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