Avery Tennison hit a two-run homer to center field in the top of the seventh inning Thursday, wiping out a one-run Republic lead and sending Ozark to an 8-6 win at Republic.
Republic had come back from a 5-1 hole to lead 6-5, but the Lady Tigers loaded the bases in both the fifth and the seventh innings and failed to score either time.
Ozark scored three runs in the top of the first. Republic got one back in the bottom of the inning when Maddie Taylor singled and Madi Carter doubled her home, but Ozark added two more in the second to go up 5-1.
Republic tied it with four runs in the third. Mia Carnes singled, stole second and scored on an error on Chloe Simpson’s ground ball, then Taylor doubled home a run to make it 5-3. Jayma Pitchford singled and Myleigh Mooneyham walked to load the bases with two outs, and Kendra Goeke lined a single to right field that drove in two runs and tied the game 5-5.
Carnes doubled to left with one out in the fourth, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Simpson, and Republic led 6-5.
Republic had a chance to add to the lead in the fifth. Carter singled and Pitchford doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out, and a walk to Goeke loaded the bases with one out. Loofbourrow, who had come in to pitch for Ozark, got a ground ball back to the circle and started a 1-2-3 double play, pitcher to catcher to first, that ended the inning without a run.
Game page →In the seventh, Ginny Gallivan led off with a single down the third-base line, and Allyson Atkinson came in to run for her. Tennison homered on a line drive to center to put Ozark ahead 7-6. Gracie Mason followed with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a squeeze bunt by Kinsey Wheat to make it 8-6.
Republic put the tying runs on base again in the bottom of the seventh. Carter walked leading off, Pitchford singled, and Mooneyham bunted them to second and third with one out. Goeke struck out looking, and Lily Worthy was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kate Stulce hit a looping line drive that the second baseman caught to end the game.
Republic had 13 hits. Carter went 3-for-3 with a walk, Pitchford was 3-for-4, and Taylor and Carnes each had two hits. Goeke pitched all seven innings and allowed eight hits and one walk.
The loss drops Republic to 7-8 on the season. Ozark is 10-8.
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