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DISTRICT BASEBALL: Republic rides early runs to district win over Joplin

By:
Lucas Davis

Fourth-seeded Republic scored runs in the second, third and fourth inning to build a lead while keeping fifth-seeded Joplin at bay on the way to a 5-0 win in Class 6 District 6 Tournament action on Monday at the JHS Athletic Complex.

The Tigers (16-13) plated a pair of runs in the second to take the lead before adding two two-out runs in the third and another two-out run in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead, which turned out to be all the offense needed to earn the win.

“At the end of the day, we have to be able to swing it better to give ourselves a chance,” Joplin coach Kyle Wolf said after the loss. “I thought we competed on the mound and did some good things defensively but when you’re struggling to score runs, it’s hard to get any mojo going. Credit to their pitcher, he kept us off balance and never gave us a chance to feel good about anything in the box. … It wasn’t for lack of effort, but we just couldn’t get things going for us.”

Joplin closes the season with a 14-15 record and graduates seniors Bodee Carlson, Isaac Meadows, Tyler Schumann, Ethan Guilford, Kyler Stokes and Joe Jasper.

“I told them it hurts right now, but don’t lose sight of the fun things that happened this year, too,” Wolf said about those close to the season. “It’s hard right now and it’s easy to think back on losing your last game, but the reality is that happens to every team in the state except for one. I think there is a lot more to this game than that, and we had some big wins this year and had a lot of fun.”

“It’s hard every year,” Wolf added about his senior class leaving. “You grow a bond with these guys and go through a lot with them. To see the season end is hard. All of these guys have gone through a lot and showed a lot of resilience throughout their career to play in their last game. I am proud of them. I love them. They will always be an Eagle and if they need anything, I am always here.” 

The Eagles, who totaled two hits and left five base runners on in the loss, threatened in the top of the second before leaving two batters on base and again in the top of the sixth before leaving a pair of runners in scoring position.

“(Republic starting pitcher Cole Iles) just did a great job with his breaking ball—being able to spot it up and throw it in any count,” Wolf said. “Then he would mix in his fastball to keep you off balance and not know for sure what was coming.” 

Iles earned the complete-game shutout win in seven frames, scattering two hits, two walks and striking out four strikeouts.

Guilford took the loss after allowing five runs on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Brady Mails didn’t allow a run in 1 2/3 inning relief. Justin McReynolds allowed one hit and struck out one in 2/3 of an inning.

Republic struck first with two runs touching the plate in the bottom of the second inning. After a single from Trace Harrington and back to back hit-by-pitches loaded the bases with one out, Gunner Ellison singled to left-center field to score a pair for a 2-0 lead.

The Tigers doubled up on the Eagles in the bottom of the third inning after a two-out walk was followed up by a two-run home run by Harrington to make the score 4-0.

Republic went to work with two outs again in the last of the fourth inning when Connor Sandridge drew a two-out walk, stole second and came around to touch home on a double off the wall in left field by Gavyn Beckner to push the lead to 5-0.

Harrington had two hits, including a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Ellison had a hit and drove in two runs.

Guilford and Tyler Schumann each had hits for Joplin.

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