A three-game swing through the Kansas City area opened with a 5-1 loss to Kearney Thursday night in Liberty. Republic scored a single run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead, but didn’t manage to score again.
Kearney scored a run in the second inning to tie it, a run in the third to go ahead, and three more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game away.
Garrett Lester tripled from the leadoff spot for the second straight game, and he scored on an RBI single by Gavyn Beckner. But Bryson Morrison, the Kearney starter, shut down the Tigers after that.
Republic had just four base hits, as Morrison struck out eight, walked two, and went the distance. Republic starter Caide White pitched well but took the loss. He worked five innings and allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked three. Mason Mitchell pitched an inning in relief, giving up three runs on three hits.
Beckner had two of Republic’s four base hits.
The game was played at William Jewell College, and Republic will be back there tomorrow at noon to face Kearney again. Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast that game live.