Ryder Davis did it all for Republic on Friday, going 4-for-4 at the plate with four runs scored and throwing a complete game on the mound as the Tigers defeated Skiatook, Okla., 16-4 in five innings.
After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning, Republic responded immediately with five runs in their half of the frame. Davis started the rally with a double down the left field line, and Cooper Pilkinton delivered the big blast with a three-run homer to left field that put the Tigers ahead 5-3.
The Tigers added a run in the second when Davis scored on Cannon Ellison’s sacrifice fly, making it 6-3. Republic then broke the game open with a seven-run third inning that featured run-scoring hits from Davis, Ellison, Jackson Overstreet, and Isaac White. Overstreet’s triple to right field drove in two runs, and White followed with an RBI double.
“I just wanted to stay consistent and within my swing and contribute and help my team,” Davis said of his perfect day at the plate.
Davis struggled with his command early, allowing three first-inning runs, but settled in to strike out five while scattering four hits over five innings.
“I think that I wasn’t very comfortable in the first inning. I just went out there and tried to throw as hard as I could, and that didn’t necessarily work out for me,” Davis said. “But in the long run, I settled down and I started to throw some strikes.
Thing improved for Davis, he said, when he started “flowing down the mound, feeling my pitches, and listening to my catcher and coaches.”
Pilkinton drove in four runs, including his first-inning homer. Jackson Overstreet went 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs, while Preston McCracken contributed two hits and an RBI. Isaac White added two hits and drove in two runs.
The win improves Republic to 2-0 on the season.
“I think being a very young team, 2-0 start is a great start to have momentum to keep going forward,” Davis said. “I’m excited.”
Republic travels to Columbia on Saturday for a doubleheader against Rolla and Columbia Rock Bridge.
