Republic’s softball team flexed its offensive muscles Tuesday night, crushing four home runs to power past Webb City 5-3 in their Central Ozark Conference West Division opener.
The victory snapped a six-year drought against their conference rivals, marking Republic’s first win over Webb City since 2018.
Addie Brown started the home run parade in the bottom of the second inning to put Republic on top 1-0. Her blast was followed by solo homers by Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs and Addison Walker. Sammi Watson hit a two-run homer that provided the decisive runs.
“I think we all were just super pumped and ready to get in there and compete, and we definitely executed,” Brown said.
Gerhardt-Hobbs got the green light from coach Lee Dishman on a 3-0 count, and she took advantage, putting Republic on top 2-0 in the fourth inning. “He told me to swing if it was there, and it was there, so I just went for it,” she said.
Kara Goeke delivered a strong pitching performance, working into the seventh inning before Piper Dishman came in to secure the save.
“(I was) really jamming them on my fastball inside, and our defense played really, really good tonight,” Goeke said. “Lilli (Richerson) made some really key blocks. Our outfield did great… Sammi and Addie both had a couple really good catches.”
Republic led 5-1 heading into the top of the seventh inning, but cut the lead to 5-3 and had the bases loaded when Dishman coaxed a groundout to second baseman Ashland Schaumann to end the game.
Goeke allowed three runs — only one of them earned — in 6 1/3 innings. She struck out one and walked three, allowing just four hits. Dishman walked a batter in recording the final two outs.
The victory puts Republic at 1-0 and a leg up in divisional play. The new-look COC will not crown an overall champion, so only games in the West Division will determine the West Division winner. Neosho, Joplin, Carthage, Willard, and Parkview are the other divisional foes remaining on the schedule.
