Republic made the most of its opportunities to knock off Carl Junction for another Central Ozark Conference win Thursday, 8-2. The Tigers fell behind 2-0, then scored eight unanswered runs on only six base hits to pick up their fourth straight win.
Starting pitcher Myles Lozano was just as efficient as the offense. He went the distance, pitching his second consecutive complete game. He allowed two runs on seven hits, striking out seven batters and walking two. He needed only 89 pitches to finish the game — and 65 of them were strikes.
Carl Junction scored its two runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. Republic responded with four runs in the top of the third. Connor Sandridge led off with a walk and went to second on a groundout by Garrett Lester. Gavyn Beckner reached on an error by the right fielder and Sandridge scored, making the score 2-1. Trace Harrington tripled home Beckner and scored on an error to give Republic a 3-2 lead. After a walk to Gunner Ellison, Wyatt Woods walked and stole second – then scored on the same play after another Bulldog error. That put Republic ahead 4-2.
In the fourth inning, Devon Hughes singled and Sandridge walked again with one out. Collin Myers drove in a run with a double and Lester drove in two more runs with a single to give Republic a 7-2 lead.
The Tigers made the score 8-2 in the sixth inning, when Hughes singled again and scored on a sacrifice fly by Myers.
Hughes was the only Republic player with two base hits. He and Sandridge each scored twice. Myers and Lester had two RBIs apiece.
The win pushes Republic’s overall record to 14-9. The Tigers are 6-1 in the COC, keeping pace with the other conference leaders with two games remaining. Republic has conference games with Nixa and Neosho next week.