Willard scratched out two late runs to overcome a stellar pitching performance by Caide White, coming from behind to beat Republic 2-1 in nine innings at Republic on Tuesday. Willard plated the game-winner in the top of the ninth when an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt allowed Drew Quinlan to score all the way from first base.
Before that, Republic had led much of the game. Wyatt Woods singled and scored on a wild pitch by Willard starter Cameron Jennings in the bottom of the second inning, giving Republic a 1-0 lead. The score stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth, when a two-out single by Jarrett McGee and an RBI triple by Landon Moore tied the game.
White came within a batter of pitching seven innings, and he exited because he reached the state mandated pitch limit with two batters out in the top of the seventh. He worked 6 2/3 innings, striking out six, walking six, and allowing one run on three hits.
Jennings was also good for Willard, working 4 1/3 innings and allowing one run on four hits. He walked six and struck out four. When Jennings left the game in the fifth, it seemed Republic might break the game open. Kaelin Adams entered the game with the bases loaded and one out after Jennings walked three batters. Adams induced a grounder back the mound from Wyatt Woods, forcing out a runner at home. Then he struck out Brett Hendrickson to end the threat.
Adams held Republic in check the rest of the way. Republic put two runners on in the seventh inning, but Woods flied out to center to end the inning. The first two batters reached for Republic in the eighth inning, but Willard completed one of three double plays to snuff out the threat.
In the ninth, Quinlan led off with a single. Reliever Cannon Ellison struck out Peyton Gayer. When Collin Spering tried to bunt Quinlan to second, Ellison fielded the bunt but sailed his throw over the head of Trace Harrington at first. By the time Harrington tracked it down, Quinlan had scored what would turn out to be the game-winner. Republic went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth.
Each team managed only four base hits and committed one error.
The win improves Willard’s record to 12-1. Republic falls to 11-6. The loss ends a five-game win streak for Republic.
