Willard scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Thursday to beat Republic 5-4, a half-inning after Maddie Carter’s two-run double had put the Lady Tigers ahead. Republic pitchers walked seven batters, and four of Willard’s five runs were scored by runners who reached on walks.
Carter drove in three of Republic’s four runs. Her double in the first inning scored Mia Carnes, and Republic went up 2-0 in the fourth when Kendra Goeke scored on an error.
Jayma Pitchford started in the circle and threw three scoreless innings. Willard got a run back off Kennedy Smithson in the fourth and tied the game 2-2 in the sixth.
Republic’s go-ahead rally in the seventh started with two outs. Carnes was hit by a pitch, Chloe Simpson singled to right, and Carter doubled to center to score them both.
Willard’s leadoff hitter walked in the bottom of the inning, and Alivia Arauz tied the game with a two-run homer to center. Emily Barr walked, stole second, and scored the winning run on Kynlee Inman’s double to left.
Carter finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Republic had five hits off Willard’s Dixon, who pitched all seven innings and struck out six.
Willard picked up its 15th win of the season, while Republic fell to 7-12-1. The Lady Tigers travel to Logan-Rogersville on September 28.
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