Ray-Pec’s Kelsie Donaldson stood out in the box score, but Monday’s Class 5 state quarterfinal in Republic turned on a single defensive play by center fielder Zariah Maybion.
Republic led 1–0 in the top of the second inning and had runners on second and third when Paige Elsenraat drove a long fly ball to right-center. Maybion sprinted into the gap and made a one-handed catch to save two runs. That play proved decisive—Ray-Pec pushed across two runs in the fourth inning against Kara Goeke, and that was enough for a 2–1 win and a trip to the state semifinals.
Elsenraat had sparked Republic’s only run, leading off the bottom of the first with an infield single, stealing second, and scoring on two passed balls. But after Maybion’s catch, Donaldson dominated. She struck out 15 and retired the final 16 batters she faced.
Maybion doubled to lead off the fourth, went to third on a single by Reygan Ackley, and scored with Ackley on a double by Rhyenne Jones. Those were the only runs Ray-Pec would score off Goeke, who allowed six hits, struck out three, and walked one.
Goeke benefited from solid defense all night—including a rare triple play in the third inning. With runners at first and second, Donaldson lined a ball to shortstop Emma Ellison, who caught it just above the dirt. Ellison threw to second baseman Emma Hoodenpyle to double off the runner there, and Hoodenpyle fired to first to complete the triple play.
Republic managed just three hits, all in the first two innings—singles by Elsenraat, Goeke, and Ellison.
The loss ended Republic’s season, but it capped a strong late run that saw the Lady Tigers win 11 of 12 games to reach the quarterfinals. It also marked the end of an era for head coach Lee Dishman, who is retiring after leading Republic to its first quarterfinal appearance since 2009. He finishes with a 273–134 record (.671) at Republic and a 340–193 mark (.638) overall.
Dishman reflected on both the game and his final team afterward. “That’s the type of softball game you want to see late in the season—two good teams just hooking it up and playing. Even though we came out on the short end, our girls played extremely well tonight. Hats off to their pitcher—she’s going to North Carolina State for a reason—but our hitters competed all night.”
He praised Republic’s defensive turnaround late in the season. “You watch Emma Lou (Ellison) grow into a softball player throughout the year,” he said. “Early on, she and some others struggled, but they figured it out and kept working. It showed tonight—they’re good softball players.”
Dishman also reflected on his team’s progress from midseason struggles to a state quarterfinal finish. “Early in the year we weren’t very good—we made some crazy mistakes—but ever since the Springfield tournament, they turned it around,” he said. “They proved they were the best team in the area and went through a gauntlet of a schedule this year. That schedule early on against some quality teams showed tonight we can compete with anybody.”
The night carried personal meaning for Dishman, who coached his daughter, Piper, as part of this senior class.
“To get to do this with girls that I’ve seen since they were eight years old and play softball and to where they are … it’s like I told them, softball isn’t who they are, it’s just part of their life,” he said. “Now, for some of them, this chapter closes, but they’ll go on and learn lessons from softball and be successful people.
“As for me, it’s just time to put the old bull to pasture and let the next person come in here and have some success. The foundation’s set, and these younger girls are hungry to win and hungry to work.”
He also reflected on sharing the field with his daughter. “As far as Pipe goes, I got to spend so many years on this field with her, raising her,” he said. “Now I just get to become Dad. … We’ve had a lot of heart-to-hearts in that circle, and I’m super proud of her. I’m proud of this group.”
Republic’s seniors playing their final game were Piper Dishman, Paige Elsenraat, Emma Hoodenpyle, Kara Goeke, Addie Brown, Kaitlyn Stewart, Allison Burford, and Grace Worthy.
Republic finishes its season at 22-15.
