Republic opened district play with a 13–1, five-inning win over Branson on Thursday night at Ozark, riding a seven-run second inning and four home runs to advance. It was the 20th win of the season for Republic.
Branson grabbed a 1–0 lead in the top of the second on a bases-loaded walk. Republic answered immediately. Maddie Carter reached, and Kara Goeke lined a two-run shot to center to put the Lady Tigers in front. The inning snowballed from there, with Republic pushing across seven runs in the frame. Mia Carnes capped the surge with a two-run homer to make it 7–1.
“I think we definitely came in just a little nervous,” Goeke said. “It’s districts. We know our season’s on the line, but Maddie Carter did a really good job leading off the inning and getting on base to start. I was like, all right, I just need to do my job. And honestly, I thought he was going to give me a bunt sign, and I was really happy when he didn’t. The first pitch was just kind of middle-middle, and I just took it—and it went.”
Taylor added another long ball in the third. “As soon as I hit the ball, I was like, okay, this is what I’ve been working for,” she said.
In the fourth, Ellison capped the power surge with her first-ever home run at any level. “I haven’t really hit well lately, so I was kind of nervous going into the box,” she said. “My first at-bat was just a single, so I was just kind of looking to get on base—but I kind of surprised myself a little bit.”
Paige Elsenraat had three hits, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Piper Dishman went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Taylor, Ellison, and Carter each finished with two hits.
Republic totaled 13 runs on 17 hits. Branson managed one run on one hit.
Dishman worked two innings, allowing an unearned run on one hit with four strikeouts and three walks. Kara Goeke followed with two scoreless, hitless innings and three strikeouts. Kendra Goeke recorded the final three outs, striking out two in a scoreless fifth.
Republic (20-14) advances to the district semifinals Saturday against Nixa (20-14). Nixa won the first meeting between the teams 9-6 on September 4.
“I think our hitting is really starting to come together,” Goeke said. “We need to shore up a few things on defense, but our pitchers are ready to compete, our defense is ready to compete—and it’s just going to be a hitting battle on Saturday.”
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