Republic Tigers share COC baseball championship

Seven seniors honored, lead Republic to success on baseball diamond
Republic closed its Central Ozark Conference season with a co-championship, then closed its week with a celebration of its seniors.
The Tigers won two key COC games to earn a share of the league title. They began the week with a 7-2 win against state-ranked Nixa to keep pace with league co-leaders Webb City and Willard. The game knocked the Eagles out of championship contention. Republic followed up that win with a 3-1 win against Neosho to clinch a share of the title.
Against Nixa, Gavyn Beckner pitched a complete game and allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out four and walked five, improving his record for the season to 5-1. Connor Sandridge broke out of a hitting slump with two RBI’s, including a two-out triple that scored Ellison and put Republic on top in the first inning. Ellison also had two hits for Republic.
Against Neosho, Republic got perhaps the best start of the season from Caide White on the mound. White worked all seven innings, allowed just three base hits, and struck out 10 batters. He walked two and hit two batters in earning the win. Garrett Lester had three base hits to lead Republic.
Republic finished the COC slate with an 8-1 record, and when Willard beat Webb City on Thursday, it put Willard and Republic into a tie in the standings. They will share the COC championship.
Friday, Republic needed extra innings to close out a win on Senior Night against Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 4-3. Collin Myers drove in the wining run in the eighth inning to secure the win. Landon Carter pitched well but failed to get the win after surrendering three runs in the sixth inning. Carter struck out eight batters and walked only one.
After the game, the Tigers honored seven seniors who have played a big role in Republic's recent baseball renaissance. Gavyn Beckner, Landon Carter, Gunner Ellison, Aidan Gregory, Collin Myers, Connor Sandridge and Andrew Schroeder have been part of the program during two Central Ozark Conference championships, including a co-championship this year shared with Willard.