Republic put together another late-game comeback at Webb City Thursday, but Webb City responded with its own comeback in a walk-off 3-2 win.
Republic’s Caide White and Webb City’s Landon Fletcher had locked up in a COC pitcher’s duel all evening before the seventh inning. Through six, the score was tied 1-1, and each pitcher had eight strikeouts.
When Republic scratched out a run to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh, it looked like the Tigers might snap their 10-game losing streak against the Cardinals. But Webb City scored two in the bottom of the seventh when Kaylor Darnell slapped a bases-loaded single into right field to win the game.
Webb City had scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Gage Chapman drew a one-out walk, went to second on a wild pitch, then scored on a two-out single by Sam Weller.
Republic tied the score in the fifth. Wyatt Woods hit a one-out single and stole second base. Connor Sandridge singled, and with runners at first and third, Collin Myers lined a sacrifice fly to left field to score Woods.
In the top of the seventh, Sandridge doubled with one out and scored on a two-out single to center field by Devon Hughes. That gave Republic a 2-1 lead.
White retired the first two batters in the bottom of the seventh, but Webb City put together a two-out rally. Cy Darnell hit a looping liner just out of reach of first baseman Trace Harrington. Sam Weller reached on a throwing error by third baseman Gavyn Beckner — the first error of the game for either team — and Shaun Hunt followed that up with a walk to load the bases. On a 2-2 count, Kaylor Darnell slapped a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Cy Darnell and Weller to win it for the Cardinals.
Fletcher earned the win with a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out nine and walking none. White took the loss, pitching 6 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and walking three. He allowed three runs — only one of them earned — and struck out eight.
Webb City improves to 9-6 overall and 3-0 in the COC. Republic falls to 7-7 overall and 1-1 in the conference. The Tigers host Lebanon Friday afternoon.
