Republic Baseball celebrated its 10 seniors in style on Friday night, battling to a 9-7 win over Sedalia Smith-Cotton. All 10 seniors started — including pitchers Caide White (in right field) and Ethan Anderson (as designated hitter).
Smith-Cotton took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning off starting pitcher Myles Lozano. But Republic answered in the bottom of the frame, with the first three batters — seniors Garrett Lester, Devon Hughes, and White — walking to load the bases. Trace Harrington then hit his second grand slam of the season, putting Republic ahead 4-3.
The Tigers extended their lead with one out in the first, after senior Carter Nation walked and scored on an RBI double by senior Kanon Krol. Anderson singled to center field, driving in Krol and making it 6-3.
Smith-Cotton scored a run in the second inning, but Republic responded in the third. Krol and Anderson hit back-to-back singles with one out and advanced on a wild pitch. Hughes brought Krol home with an RBI single, making it 7-4.
Republic added two runs in the fifth, with Hughes driving in Anderson to make it 9-4. Smith-Cotton rallied in the sixth, scoring three runs to cut the lead to 9-7, but the Tigers held on for the victory, with Anderson and Harrington closing out the game on the mound.
Lozano picked up the win and Harrington earned the save with a three-strikeout seventh inning.
Harrington led Republic with four RBIs, while Hughes had three. Lester, Hughes, Krol, and Anderson each had two hits, and White added a hit and a walk. Nation walked twice and scored a run.
After the game, the team honored its 10 seniors: Anderson, Harrington, Brett Hendrickson, Hughes, Krol, Lester, Lozano, Nation, White, and Wyatt Woods.
“They are a special group of kids. They are great students and have represented our program in the right way for the last four years,” coach Curt Plotner said. “They have been a part of a lot of success, and we are lucky that they have been a part of our program.”
The win improved Republic’s record to 16-13. The seniors will have one more chance to play on their home field Monday when they make up a rainout against Ozark.
