A bases-loaded hit batsman in the eighth inning forced home the winning run for Rogersville, spoiling a late comeback by Republic in a 6-5 road loss for the Tigers on Tuesday. Republic had overcome a four-run deficit to force extra innings.
Rogersville led 5-1 after four innings. Republic put plenty of runners on base, but couldn’t get a timely hit. The Tigers left nine runners on base in the first four innings, scoring only a single run in the top of the first after Garrett Lester singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Rogersville tied the game in the bottom of the first and scored again in the second, then added three more in the fourth to take command.
Garrett Lester started on the mound and allowed five Rogersville runs — four of them earned — but he helped lead the Republic comeback. Lester finished with four base hits, going 4-for-4 with a walk. He scored a run, stole a base, and drove in the tying run in the top of the seventh inning. Lester has now reached base safely eight consecutive times going back to Saturday’s game against Rock Bridge. In those plate appearances, he has two doubles, three singles, and two walks.
Trailing 5-1, the Tigers turned to reliever Cannon Ellison to keep the game close. He held Rogersville scoreless for three innings to make Republic’s comeback possible. The Tigers cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth inning. Kanon Krol walked, Ryder Davis was hit by a pitch, and both of them scored on subsequent wild pitches, making the score 5-3.
In the seventh, Brett Hendrickson doubled with one out and Davis doubled home Hendrickson with two out, cutting the Rogersville lead to 5-4. Lester singled to left field to drive home Davis, tying the score 5-5.
Neither team scored again until the eighth inning, when the first two Rogersville hitters reached against Ellison. Trace Harrington came in to relieve Ellison. He hit Ethan DeSanti to load the bases, then coaxed a weak ground ball to short from Carter Hill. Devon Hughes threw home to force out the lead runner. But with one out, Harrington hit Rogersville’s Jackson Rousey, forcing home the winning run.
Rogersville sophomore Jackson Purse was the winning pitcher, working three innings in relief. Ellison suffered the loss despite allowing just one run on three hits in three innings of work.
Rogersville improves to 2-0. The Tigers fall to 2-2. Republic travels to Monett Wednesday. (Republic Tiger Sports will not carry the game live.)