Sammi Watson hit a pair of doubles to lead Republic past Ozark on the road Tuesday, 5-3.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Addison Walker singled with one out, and Gracie Woods walked. Lilli Richerson drove them both home to give Republic a 2-0 lead.
Ozark cut the lead in half with a single run in the bottom of the inning, but Republic added two more runs in the fifth. Watson doubled to lead off, and Paige Elsenraat reached on an error and stole second base. Piper Dishman grounded out, allowing Watson to score. Gracie Woods’s single to left drove in Elsenraat, extending Republic’s lead to 4-1.
In the sixth, Watson’s second double brought in another run for Republic, making it 5-1.
Ozark scored two more in the bottom of the sixth to draw within two runs at 5-3.
In the circle, Republic’s Piper Dishman turned in a solid performance, pitching 5 2/3 innings. She allowed three runs on eight hits, walked one, and struck out eight. Kara Goeke came in to close the game, pitching 1 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit and one walk.
Republic improves its record to 16-13. The Lady Tigers host Lebanon Friday.
Line score
Republic 000 221 0 5 7 2
Ozark 000 102 0 3 9 1