Republic took nearly three hours to lose its first game of a double-header 16-12 on Thursday. Kyler Tate made sure the outcome — and the duration — of the second game was much easier to handle. Tate threw a complete-game two-hit shutout to lead Republic past Warrensburg in the nightcap, 1-0.
Tate struck out eight and walked four, never allowing a runner past second base. Braiden Schmitt matched him nearly pitch for pitch for Warrensburg, striking out 10 Tigers in a complete game of his own, but Brennan Overstreet’s RBI single in the fifth broke the scoreless tie and held up as the only run of the game.
Preston McCracken reached base twice and scored the lone run. Nolan Lashley and Cooper Thomas each added a hit.
The defense sparkled for Republic, too. Shortstop Zayden Danielson turned in one of the best plays of the night when he made a sliding stop and threw out a runner in the bottom of the seventh to help fight off Warrensburg’s comeback hopes.
The opener against Ray-Pec was a different story entirely. Republic fell behind 6-1 after one inning and trailed 10-1 after three as starter Gabe Benjamin couldn’t find the zone, walking five in 2.2 innings while allowing 10 runs, eight earned.
The Tigers chipped away — four runs in the fifth cut the deficit to 10-8 — and another four-run rally in the seventh pulled Republic within 16-12, but they couldn’t complete the comeback. Ray-Pec committed five errors to keep Republic in the game, and the Tigers outhit the Panthers 13-11, but 11 walks issued by Benjamin and Greg Hicks proved too much to overcome.
Overstreet led the offense in game one with three hits and two RBI, including a triple. Landon Perkins went 2-for-3 with two walks, Cooper Thomas drove in two, and McCracken doubled home a pair. Kody Underwood powered Ray-Pec’s attack with three hits, four RBI and a home run.
Republic is 6-8 with two games left this weekend. On Friday, the Tigers will play Smith-Cotton in Sedalia and on Saturday, they’ll play Liberty North.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.