Webb City slugged three home runs and Kaitlin Beason struck out 12 Republic batters as the Cardinals ended Republic’s season with a 7-3 decision in the district semifinals Thursday. Beason had one of the three homers for Webb City, in addition to picking up the victory with her pitching performance.
“They’re the total opposite of us,” Republic coach Lee Dishman says of Webb City. “We’re young. They have seven to nine seniors. They’ve been tested over and over and over, and when you make a mistake, they’re going to make you pay. That was evident tonight.”
The first mistake came in the bottom of the first inning, when Republic freshman Rachel Rook left a pitch out over the plate and Beason lined it over the center field fence, giving Webb City a 1-0 lead.
The score stayed that way until the 4th, when Beason was hit by a pitch and Desiree Buerge hit the second Webb City homer of the night to make it 3-0. When Morgan Lammey scored on a steal of home later in the inning, it was 4-0 Webb City. A single run in the 5th made it 5-0.
But the Lady Tigers didn’t lay down. They loaded the bases in the top of the 6th when Caty Eby and Molly Zinecker singled, and Lauren Strobel walked after fouling off several pitches. Abby Norris tripled off the glove of a sliding right fielder, clearing the bases and making the score 5-3. Danielle Shelton grounded out to end the inning.
“Our girls didn’t quit all year. They just competed every inning, even when they were down,” says Dishman. “We had our shots, we just didn’t capitalize.”
Webb City picked up two more insurance runs in the bottom of the 6th before Beason slammed the door with a 1-2-3 7th inning.
Republic ends its season with an 18-10 record. Webb City advances to meet Joplin, who upset top-seeded McDonald County 2-1 in a 13-inning thriller, on Saturday.
Dishman says despite the disappointing end to the season, the Lady Tigers picked up valuable experience this season.
“We played really well at times, then we had our ups and downs like a roller coaster. We’re young. We’ve got a bright future,” he says. “Our JV went 14-3. We’ve got a lot of girls who can play softball, and next year will be our year, I think.”