Nixa Comes from Behind to Eliminate Republic

Republic jumped to a 4-0 lead before Nixa even had a chance to bat in the district semifinals, but the state-ranked Eagles had just enough time to claw their way back. Nixa overcame a four-run deficit to knock off Republic 5-4 in the district semifinals at Joplin. The winning run scored on a bases-loaded ground ball up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Republic had scored four runs off Nixa starter Keith Piepmeier in the top of the first inning. Connor Sandridge walked and stole second. Adam Brown walked and Ace McWatters doubled both runners home. Trace Harrington followed that up with a double to make the score 3-0, and Harrington eventually came in to score on a wild pitch, giving the Tigers a 4-0 lead.

But Nixa’s John Gholson hit a solo home run in the second inning to make the score 4-1, and the Eagles scored three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the score.

The score stayed tied until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Nixa loaded the bases against reliever Caide White. With two outs, Russo singled softly up the middle, allowing Tanner Grant to score the winning run and send Nixa into the district championship game.

Republic ended its season with a 16-14 record. It's the third consecutive winning season for Republic and the third straight year with at least 14 wins.