Republic ended a four-game losing streak with a 12-8 win over Liberty Saturday afternoon behind the hot hitting of Trace Harrington and Gunner Ellison. Harrington slugged two homers — his second and third of the season — and drove in four runs. Ellison drove in three runs and scored twice, going 3-for-4 with two doubles.
The Tigers exploded for seven runs in the first inning to take control, and led 9-1 after two innings before Liberty put five on the board in the top of the third. Republic outscored Liberty 3-2 the rest of the way to hang on for the win.
In addition to his hitting performance, Ellison picked up the win on the mound, despite giving up eight runs — seven earned — in 5 1/3 innings. Andrew Schroeder finished out the game for the Tigers to secure the win.
Liberty out-hit Republic 12-10, but committed five errors that contributed to the Tigers’ success.
Webb City 13, Republic 7
The win ended a rough stretch for the Tigers, which had included three losses over the previous two days. Saturday morning, the Tigers scored four runs in the first inning, only to see Webb City answer with five in the bottom half. Republic briefly took the lead again 6-5, before Webb City took the lead for good.
The Tigers racked up 15 hits but left 13 runners on base and hit into two double plays. Garrett Lester and Harrington each had three hits. Ellison and Gavyn Beckner had two each.
Myles Lozano was the losing pitcher. He allowed ten runs in five innings, but only four of them were earned. He struck out four and walked three.
Lee’s Summit North 9, Republic 8
Friday afternoon, Lee’s Summit North did to Republic what Republic had done to two other teams earlier this season — come from behind in the last inning to win. Lee’s Summit North scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and two more in the bottom of the seventh to knock off the Tigers 9-8.
Republic had scored five runs in the top of the third inning to take a 6-5 lead, then added two more in the sixth to lead 8-5 before the Broncos started their comeback.
Connor Sandridge homered in a losing cause for the Tigers. Ellison reached base five times, with a single, a double, and three walks.
Liberty North 5, Republic 0
After losing to Lee’s Summit North, Republic finished a suspended game with Liberty North Friday evening. The game had been suspended in the fifth inning with a runner on first base and nobody out for the Tigers, who trailed 4-0 at the time. Friday night, Republic put another runner on base in the fifth, but failed to score. They ended up suffering their first shutout of the season.
Republic finished the weekend with a 5-5 record. The Tigers will play at Ozark Tuesday.
