Gunner Ellison hit a two-run homer and Trace Harrington hit a three-run shot to lead Republic past Bolivar on the road Monday, 10-2. The win is Republic’s fifth in a row.
Mason Mitchell earned the win in his first start of the season Mitchell worked five innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out seven and walked one. Landon Carter worked the final two innings to close out the game, allowing one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one.
The Tigers scored three runs in the top of the first inning with the help of two Bolivar errors and three walks — two of them with the bases loaded. The Tigers chased Bolivar starter Brent Sawyer from the game before the inning ended.
Bolivar cut into the lead in the third inning with a single run, making the score 3-1.
Republic added three more runs in the fifth. Gavyn Beckner doubled to lead off the inning and scored on an error by the left fielder that allowed Harrington to reach safely. Ellison followed that up with a line drive that cleared the fence in left to make the score 6-0.
Republic scored four more in the sixth. Garrett Lester walked and stole second, then went to third on a single by Beckner. With runners at the corners, Harrington walloped a tape-measure drive far beyond the left field fence to put Republic ahead 9-1. Later in the inning, Ellison singled, stole second and third, and scored on an RBI single by Andrew Schroeder. That made it 10-1.
Bolivar added one run in the seventh off Carter. A one-out walk and an RBI single by Cade Raney made the score 10-2, where it ended.
Harrington finished the game with four runs batted in and two runs scored. He was 2-for-5. Beckner was also 2-for-5, driving in one and scoring three times. Ellison was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
The Tigers improved their record to 15-9. Since a 7-7 start, Republic is 8-2.
Republic hosts Nixa (23-5) Tuesday. Both teams are at the top of the COC standings with one loss, along with Willard and Webb City. Republic Tiger Sports will carry the game live.