Twin sisters Allie and Abby Krueger did everything Monett needed Thursday night in a 2-1 win over Republic. Allie Krueger struck out nine batters, gave up just four hits, and walked three batters to pick up the win for the Lady Cubs. Abby Krueger took care of the offense for Monett, slugging a two-run homer (with her sister on base) to account for all her team’s scoring.
The home run was the only pitching mistake for Rook, who struck out ten batters and allowed just two base hits in seven innings. She walked five and took the loss, to fall to 1-1 this season.
The Lady Tigers’ only run came in the 3rd inning on an RBI single by Kami Holt.
Republic threatened in the bottom of the 5th inning, but Holt hit a shot right at the left fielder with runners on 2nd and 3rd for the final out.
In the 6th Republic had another chance, but Lauren Strobel was thrown out trying to steal 3rd base after leading off with a double.
Coach Lee Dishman says it wouldn’t have taken much to change the outcome of the game.
“We had multiple chances. We had a bang-banger bunt at first that could’ve gone both ways. That would have tied the ball game up with Kami coming up.
“Little things didn’t go our way. One swing beat us. That’s what hurts. We made one bad pitch. Other than that, we did really good. We’ve got to cut down on our strikeouts. When you face a good pitcher like that, she’s going to get her strikeouts. That’s softball.”
Republic falls to 1-1. They play again next Tuesday at home against Marshfield.