Baller Beckner leads Republic in shutout

Gavyn Beckner pitched and hit the Tigers past Joplin in a 3-0 win in Central Ozark Conference play at Republic, Wednesday. On the mound, Beckner pitched a complete-game shutout. He scattered four hits, struck out four, and walked two in earning the win. At the plate, he had two base hits and two runs batted in, and he scored another run.
“I knew it was a big game, because it was a conference game and a district game,” Beckner said. “So I just came in really wanting to win this game... mainly for district purposes, so we can get the higher seed.”
Beckner pitched around a Joplin single in the first inning, and Republic took the lead in the bottom of the inning when Beckner scored on an RBI groundout by Trace Harrington.
The Tigers scored another run in the fourth inning when Gunner Ellison scored on a single by Beckner. In the sixth inning, Republic made the score 3-0 when Connor Sandridge doubled and scored on another RBI single by
Beckner.
Beckner’s performance helped the Tigers rebound from an 8-1 loss on the road at Willard, Tuesday. Willard scored six runs in the second inning to run away from Republic. Beckner had three of Republic’s seven hits in that game.
Cole Iles suffered the loss for Republic. Tyler Burks pitched well in relief, allowing one run in four innings of work.
Republic finished the week with a record of 12-10.