Republic committed six defensive errors and allowed three unearned runs, losing to Kickapoo Wednesday 5-4. Despite the defensive difficulties, the Tigers nearly pulled off another comeback, scoring the game’s last four runs and putting the winning run at the plate before Kickapoo escaped with the win.
The Chiefs scored four runs in the top of second inning when Republic pitcher Caide White walked two and hit another man to load the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, an RBI single scored one run and Republic’s first error allowed another to score. Two more errors in the inning accounted for a 4-0 lead when the inning was over.
From there, White shut down Kickapoo through five innings. He allowed four runs — only two earned — striking out seven and walking four. He allowed two base hits.
Kickapoo scored another single run in the top of the sixth inning off Landon Carter to make the score 5-0. That run was also unearned.
Republic finally got on the board in the bottom of that inning. Garrett Lester walked to lead off and went to second on a one-out single by Gavyn Beckner. Trace Harrington walked to load the bases, and a Kickapoo error on a grounder by Mason Mitchell allowed two runs to score. Another error on a ground ball by Connor Sandridge allowed Harrington to score, making the score 5-3. Wyatt Woods hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Mitchell, bringing Republic within a run at 5-4.
Kickapoo threatened in the seventh but failed to score after a disputed play. On a line drive to center field, Garrett Lester was ruled to have made a diving catch, throwing to double off the runner at second base for a double play, ending the rally.
In the bottom of the seventh, Aidan Gregory was hit by a pitch leading off. Lester and Ellison were retired, but Beckner reached on an error to keep the inning alive. Trace Harrington struck out to end the game.
Kickapoo out-hit Republic 6-3. Republic made five errors and Kickapoo made four.
The game was played on the home turf of Springfield Central because the grass field in Republic was too muddy to host the game.
The loss drops Republic to 5-6. The Tigers are back in action Friday at Aurora. (We will NOT broadcast the game live.)
