Republic got its second straight complete-game start and blew open a close game with a seven-run fourth inning to beat Joplin 9-1 at home Tuesday. Gavyn Beckner went the distance, allowing just one unearned run.
The Tigers went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning when Joplin starter Alex Isbell hit a wild spell. Isbell walked Wyatt Woods, Connor Sandridge, and Mason Mitchell to load the bases, then hit Devon Hughes to drive in a run.
The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth. Joplin defensive breakdowns helped the Tigers blow the game open after two were out. With Andrew Schroeder on first base, Garrett Lester reached on an error. Gunner Ellison walked to load the bases. Beckner whacked a double into left field to score two runs and make it 3-0. Harrington hit a fly ball to left that was mishandled, resulting in two more runs and a three-base error, and Harrington scored on a single by Woods. Another run scored when Sandridge reached on an error, and Collin Myers doubled to score Sandridge, making the score 8-0.
Beckner came within one batter of pitching a shutout. With two outs in the seventh inning and a runner at third, a passed ball allowed Landon Maples to score from third base. Beckner ended the game with a strikeout on the next pitch. He finished the game with six strikeouts. He allowed only four base hits and he didn’t walk a batter.
Woods was 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs batted in. He also scored a run. Myers, Schroeder, and Beckner had the other base hits for Republic, who only managed five hits but took advantage of eight walks and five Joplin errors.
Joplin is now 5-11. The Tigers improve to 9-7. They host Carthage tomorrow. They’ll travel to the Kansas City area for games Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.