Republic’s senior class made sure their Senior Night was one to remember, powering the Lady Tigers to a 10–1 win over Glendale on Wednesday.
From the first inning, it was a senior showcase. Paige Elsenraat led off the bottom of the first with a home run to center field, setting the tone. Later in the inning, Addie Brown singled and came around to score on a double by fellow senior Piper Dishman.
Brown finished with three hits and three RBIs, and Elsenraat also added three hits, driving in two and scoring two. Kara Goeke added four strong innings in relief, and Grace Worthy doubled in her first at-bat. “Just getting to play with these girls who I’ve grown up with and played with since I was in 10U… and getting to end our softball years together, it’s been great,” Worthy said.
The senior class — Elsenraat, Dishman, Brown, Goeke, Worthy, Kaitlyn Stewart, Emma Hoodenpyle, and Allison Burford — accounted for most of the production in a game that was never in doubt. Republic scored three runs in the first inning, one in the second, and five more in the sixth to put the game away.
“I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group of girls,” Brown said. “I’ve been playing with them since I was little, and it’s been so much fun to grow up with them.”
Coach Lee Dishman said the seniors represent everything the program stands for. “This group of seniors just carries on the tradition of Republic softball,” he said. “They embody Republic softball in the classroom and on the field. They’re great leaders and great young girls that are going to be great leaders in our world.”
Goeke said the connection among the players is what she’ll remember most. “Through your ups, your downs — we’re a team, but we’re more than a team, we’re a family. And the family atmosphere we’ve built here is just super special.”
Piper Dishman picked up the win with three innings of work. She allowed one run on five hits, striking out four and walking one. Goeke worked four hitless and scoreless innings, struck out six, and walked one.
Republic improved to 9–6.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.