Republic’s eight seniors made their Senior Night count Wednesday, rallying from an early deficit to beat Marshfield 8-5.
The Tigers honored Nolan Coble, Ryder Davis, Cannon Ellison, Mason Fleetwood, Carter Murray, Jackson Overstreet, Ryder Smith, and Isaac White before the game. All eight started, though Davis – nursing an injury – was replaced after a ceremonial appearance at shortstop.
Marshfield jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning on Braden Jensen’s two-run homer. Republic answered immediately, scoring a single run in the bottom of the first, then taking the lead in the second inning on Ellison’s sacrifice fly after a series of Marshfield miscues.
The Tigers gradually built their advantage to 5-3 before breaking the game open in the sixth. Fleetwood walked to start the rally, then came around to score on a Marshfield throwing error. Overstreet and White also scored on errors in the inning, pushing Republic’s lead to 8-3.
Ellison earned the win with five innings on the mound, allowing three runs on eight hits. He also drove in a run and scored a run at the plate. Cooper Thomas closed out the victory with two innings of work, despite a two-run Marshfield rally in the seventh.
Marshfield out-hit Republic 12-4, but four Blue Jay errors led to five unearned runs by the Tigers. Marshfield pitchers also issued eight walks.
Overstreet led the offense, reaching base three times with a single and two walks. Zayden Danielson collected two hits and scored a run.
“They’re a hardworking group,” coach Curt Plotner said of his seniors. “We’ve had struggles at times this year, but they’ve just persevered and they’ve kept playing hard. I was really happy they were able to get a win tonight.”
The win improved Republic’s record to 15-14. The Tigers close the regular season Thursday at home against Springfield Catholic.
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