Republic shut out Kennett 9-0 at home on Wednesday night behind a standout performance by starting pitcher Caide White. White tossed a complete game for the Tigers, striking out 10 and allowing just three hits. He walked two and threw 88 pitches, 55 for strikes.
White worked out of trouble several times, but his best magic act occurred when he faced a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fifth. He got Hayden Gilmore to bounce back to the mound, threw home for a forceout, and catcher Wyatt Woods fired to first for a double play. White fanned Caleb Duncan to end the threat.
Republic took advantage of five Kennett errors and eight walks. The Tigers broke it open with six runs in the fourth. Trace Harrington cleared the bases with a triple to right, the key hit in the inning.
Harrington reached four times, with two hits, two walks and two runs. He drove in four. Jackson Overstreet and Woods also had two hits each, and Woods knocked in two.
Republic took a 2-0 lead in the third when Harrington drew a bases-loaded walk and Overstreet hit into a run-scoring double play.
In the fourth, Brett Hendrickson doubled and scored on Cooper Pilkinton’s groundout to make it 3-0. After a Kennett error, two walks and another run-scoring walk, Harrington tripled to right, making it 7-0. Woods singled home Harrington for an 8-0 lead.
The Tigers added a run in the sixth when Woods singled to score Harrington.
White earned the complete-game win. Payton Branum took the loss for Kennett, with Matt Gardner pitching in relief.
Republic is now 5-3. Kennett drops to 3-6.
The Tigers play Liberty North Thursday at Springfield Hillcrest at 5:30. They’ll play Lee’s Summit West at 1:30 Friday and Oak Park at 4:00 Friday at Springfield Kickapoo. The Tigers play Lee’s Summit North Saturday at 12:30 at Kickapoo. Republic Tiger Sports will broadcast two of the games, at 1:30 Friday and 12:30 Saturday.