It took three weeks, but Republic finally finished off Ozark in the completion of a Central Ozark Conference baseball game, earning a 7-5 victory at Ozark Wednesday afternoon. Republic led 4-3 in the top of the fourth inning when play was suspended on April 4 because of lightning and rain. In the final four innings, Republic outscored Ozark 3-2 to secure the win.
Play resumed with one out in the top of the fourth inning and Republic runners at first and second base. Garrett Lester grounded into a forceout and Gunner Ellison hit a fly ball to right field that should have ended the inning. But an Ozark error allowed a run to score, making the score 5-3.
Republic added two more runs in the sixth inning. Gunner Ellison drove in one run with a single and another run scored when Ellison stole second base and the throw from Ozark catcher Cooper Buvid sailed into center field, allowing Lester to score from third base.
Caide White pitched the final four innings for Republic, and he shut out Ozark for three innings. Ozark scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh and put the tying run at first base, but White struck out Andrew Bauer to end the game.
Gavyn Beckner, who started the game at pitcher before play was suspended three weeks ago, earned the win despite not pitching today. White allowed two runs on four hits in four innings of work to pick up the save. He struck out eight and walked one.
Republic finished the game with eight base hits. Wyatt Woods had two of them, and also drove in three runs. He did that in the first inning with a bases-loaded triple that helped Republic grab a 4-0 lead in the top of the first.
Republic has won three straight games and six of its last eight. The Tigers are 8-3 over their last 11 games. They will travel to Carl Junction Thursday. (Republic Tiger Sports will not broadcast that game.)
