Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs applies a tag to a Neosho baserunner during Republic’s road loss at Neosho. (Photo by David Brazeal)

One Inning Makes the Difference in Softball Road Loss

Neosho broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to defeat Republic 3-0 in Central Ozark Conference softball action Thursday night.

The game began as a pitchers’ duel between Republic’s Piper Dishman and Neosho’s Carleigh Kinnaird. Neither team scored through the first three innings.

Neosho broke through in the bottom of the fourth. After a double, single, and walk loaded the bases, an RBI single drove in two runs. A Republic error allowed a third run to score.

Kinnaird controlled Republic’s offense, which had homered four times in a win against Webb City on Tuesday. Kinnaird allowed just two hits while walking two and striking out six.

Paige Elsenraat and Cass Ellison recorded the only hits for Republic.

Dishman pitched four innings for the Lady Tigers, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits. She struck out four and walked two. Kara Goeke threw the final two innings, giving up two hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

The loss drops Republic’s record to 13-7 this season. The Lady Tigers host Joplin on October 1

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