Tigers Open Strong Before Suffering Two Setbacks

Republic began the baseball season with a 13-4 victory over Hillcrest Thursday at home but dropped both games of Saturday's doubleheader in Columbia, falling 4-3 to Rolla and 9-8 to Rock Bridge.

First-time varsity starter Greg Hicks sparked the home opener with four RBIs and three hits while batting ninth in the lineup. Republic overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a decisive 10-batter third inning that produced six runs and an 8-2 lead.

"I was just a little nervous, never playing varsity before," said Hicks. "But when I got out there, the nerves definitely went away and it just felt like I was playing ball."

Hicks delivered the key hit in the third with a two-run double down the left-field line for his first career RBIs. Fisher Moore followed with another two-run double as Republic sent 10 batters to the plate against Hillcrest starter Jackson Miller.

Starting pitcher Preston McCracken left after one inning with arm discomfort but remained as designated hitter, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Kyler Tate took over on the mound and struck out nine batters over 4 1/3 innings, using his slider effectively to keep Hillcrest hitters off balance.

"I knew I was gonna pitch eventually, so I was just mentally preparing for that in the bullpen," said Tate. "I took my time during my warmups and just tried to get in the right headspace."

Landon Perkins went 2-for-2 with a triple and two walks, while Nolan Lashley collected three hits for Republic. The Tigers added five insurance runs in the sixth inning to complete the rout.

Saturday's double-header resulted in two losses that came down to the final at-bat of the game. Against Rolla, Republic rallied from a 3-0 deficit when Maddox West and Perkins scored in the fourth inning to make it 3-2. Rolla answered with a sacrifice fly to restore a two-run lead at 4-2.

The Tigers pulled within one in the seventh when Lashley doubled and scored on Brennan Overstreet's sacrifice fly. Republic had the tying run on third base when the game ended. Cooper Thomas went 2-for-3 in the loss.

The nightcap against Rock Bridge featured more offensive fireworks but the same disappointing result. Rock Bridge jumped ahead 4-0 through two innings before Republic exploded for six runs in the third to take a 6-4 advantage.

The rally began when Moore walked and Chase Connell singled to put runners on the corners. Lashley was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Thomas walked to force in a run. Overstreet singled home two more runs, McCracken added an RBI on a groundout, and Perkins doubled in Overstreet. Jackson Taylor's single scored Perkins for a 6-4 lead.

Republic extended its advantage to 8-5 in the sixth on a wild pitch and passed ball, but Rock Bridge rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh to win. 

Lashley finished 4-for-4 with two runs scored in the second game. Republic struck out 10 times and fell to 1-2 on the season.