Seven Republic players earned recognition on the Class 5 District 5 All-District Softball Team, including four on the first team and three on the second, following a strong postseason run that ended with a district championship and a trip to the state quarterfinals.
First-team selections were pitcher Kara Goeke, outfielders Addie Brown and Paige Elsenraat, and pitcher/DP Piper Dishman. Earning second-team honors were infielders Maddie Taylor, Mia Carnes, and Emma Ellison.
Republic opened district play with a 13–1 rout of Branson, powered by four home runs—from Ellison, Goeke, Taylor, and Carnes. Elsenraat went 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Dishman added three hits and two runs driven in.
In a 10–2 semifinal win over Nixa, Dishman hit a grand slam and drove in four runs, while Brown added a two-run homer. Elsenraat collected three hits and scored three times, and Goeke pitched a complete game, allowing just four hits and one earned run.
The Lady Tigers clinched the title with a 5–4 comeback win over Ozark. Goeke went 3-for-4 and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. She also pitched four strong innings before Kendra Goeke and Dishman closed the game. Ellison finished with two RBI, and Elsenraat scored the winning run.
All four first-team honorees were previously recognized on the All-COC West team—Brown, Dishman, and Elsenraat on the first team, and Goeke on the second.
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