Neosho scored in three consecutive innings and Brody Crane tossed a complete-game shutout as the Wildcats blanked Republic 6-0 Thursday in a rain-delayed Central Ozark Conference West matchup.
The game, which was delayed for two hours after a scoreless first inning, saw Republic’s offense struggle throughout the contest, managing just two hits against Crane’s dominant pitching performance.
Neosho broke through in the third when Finn Versluis doubled home Hudson Williams for a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by Alex Rodriguez’s two-run single. Neosho extended its advantage in the fifth inning with two additional runs. Drake Jennings doubled to drive in Patterson, and Liam McInturff followed with an RBI single to make it 6-0.
Crane was in control on the mound, working 6 2/3 innings while allowing just two hits and five walks. He struck out 10 Republic batters and induced two double plays to escape potential trouble.
Republic’s best scoring opportunity came in the second inning when they loaded the bases with two outs, but Crane struck out Ryder Davis to end the inning.
Cannon Ellison took the loss for Republic, pitching five innings and allowing six runs on nine hits. Brennan Overstreet pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief.
Jackson Overstreet and Preston McCracken collected Republic’s only hits of the afternoon.
The loss drops Republic to 1-1 in COC West Division play. The Tigers are 11-10 overall. They’ll host Joplin next Tuesday.
Linescore:
Republic 000 000 0 – 0 2 0
Neosho 001 320 x – 6 10 0
