Republic beat around Marshfield pitching, then beat the approaching severe weather to finish off an 8-2 win at home Wednesday. The Tigers scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie — then hurried through the top of the fifth inning to make the game official before rain and lightning caused the umpires to call it. Because Marshfield had completed five innings at bat, the result is official.
Caide White pitched four innings and earned the win for Republic, striking out eight, walking two, and giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. Myles Lozano — who is usually a fast worker on a normal day, pitched at a downright breakneck pace in the fifth inning to close out the win as dark clouds approached Republic High School.
Each team scored a run in the first inning. After Marshfield got on the board with an RBI groundout, Republic responded with an RBI single by Gavyn Beckner that tied the score 1-1.
The teams scored single tallies in the third inning. Marshfield scored on another RBI groundout, and the Tigers evened the score with a sacrifice fly by Trace Harrington that scored Gunner Ellison.
The Tigers took the lead for good in the fourth inning. Wyatt Woods singled to lead off and Mason Mitchell was hit by a pitch. Devon Hughes squared to sacrifice and laid down a picture-perfect bunt that turned into an infield single and loaded the bases. Andrew Schroeder reached on a throwing error that allowed two runs to score and put runners at second and third. Leading 4-2, the Tigers scored twice more than Connor Sandridge slapped a ball through the hole on the right side of the infield. After Garrett Lester singled and another error allowed Ellison to reach savely, Gavyn Beckner singled to left to drive in Sandridge and Lester, making the score 8-2.
With a six-run lead, Republic ran onto the field quickly to begin the fifth inning. Lozano took the mound, threw two warm-up pitches, and worked quickly to get through the inning. Even with a base hit by the Blue Jays, Lozano needed only three minutes 36 seconds to retire the side.
Not long after the inning ended, umpires called the game because of the weather.
Republic out-hit Marshfield 7-4. The Blue Jays committed four errors, while Republic was flawless defensively.
Beckner had two hits, a walk, and drove in three runs. Lester reached on a hit and a walk and scored two runs.
Republic improved to 19-9 with the win. The Tigers have won nine games in a row. That matches the nine consecutive games won in 2021. Their last loss was against Kearney at William Jewell College on April 22.
Republic will finish the regular season with a game at McDonald County Thursday. The Tigers will be trying to win their tenth consecutive game for the first time since 2008. (Republic Tiger Sports will not carry the game live.)
