Republic steamrolled Neosho 14-0 in an away game Tuesday.
The top four hitters in the Tigers’ lineup – Garrett Lester, Devon Hughes, Trace Harrington, and Jackson Overstreet – did most of the damage. They combined for 10 hits, scored eight runs, and drove in nine. Overstreet went 1 for 3 with a run scored and four RBIs.
Republic took control early, scoring four runs in the first inning. Lester doubled to lead off, and Hughes drove him in with another double. Harrington was hit by a pitch, and Overstreet followed with a three-run homer to left.
The Tigers tacked on another run in the second when Harrington singled home Lester to make it 5-0.
Republic blew the game open with an eight-run third inning. Cooper Pilkinton walked, Kanon Krol singled, and Carter Nation singled to load the bases. Brett Hendrickson lined a two-run single to right, making it 7-0. With two outs, Hughes hit an RBI single, and Harrington walked with the bases loaded to force in another run. Overstreet’s sacrifice fly and Pilkinton’s RBI double pushed the lead to 11-0. Another run scored on a wild pitch, and Nation capped the inning with an RBI double.
The Tigers added one more run in the fourth when Harrington doubled home Hughes.
Trace Harrington turned in a dominant performance on the mound for Republic. He pitched all five innings, giving up just one hit while striking out nine and walking two.
With the win, Republic now has an 18-13 record on the season. The Tigers went 5-4 in Central Ozark Conference play. They’ve won three in a row and will wrap up the regular season Wednesday night at Marshfield.
