Republic’s pitching duo of Caide White and Cannon Ellison etched their names into the record books Monday night, tossing a combined no-hitter against Ozark in a 5-2 Central Ozark Conference victory.
White, the starter, struck out nine batters over five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on five walks and three hit batters. Ozark failed to put the ball in play against White until the fourth inning. The sophomore left-hander exited after the fifth, when he hit the state-defined pitch limit.
Ellison took over in the sixth, pitching two perfect innings in relief to secure the save and preserve the no-hitter, the eighth in Republic history and the first since Chandler Coates’ gem against Joplin in the 2015 district tournament.
Ozark took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, but Republic responded in the bottom half. Ryder Davis doubled to lead off the inning, and Garrett Lester followed with a bunt single. After Devon Hughes flied out, Trace Harrington crushed a three-run homer over the left-center field fence, putting Republic ahead 3-2.
Republic added two insurance runs in the sixth. Jackson Overstreet doubled, Wyatt Woods walked, and Cooper Pilkington reached on a bunt error to load the bases. Carter Nation drew a walk, forcing in a run, and Lester singled home another with two outs to make it 5-2.
Lester finished with three hits, while Davis added two. White earned the win, and Hudson Roberts took the loss for Ozark, with Ellison grabbing the save.
The victory improved Republic to 17-13 overall and 4-4 in the conference. Ozark fell to 15-17 and 3-5. Republic travels to Neosho Tuesday night.
