Republic sophomore Rachel Rook made history by striking out 19 batters in a 7-0 win over Kickapoo Friday night. The nineteen strikeouts was the most ever in a game by a Republic pitcher, and may have been a state record for a seven-inning game. The Missouri State High School Activities Association lists 18 as the strikeout record for a six-inning game, but doesn’t list a record for strikeouts over seven innings.
* Update: Though a record for strikeouts in a seven-inning game isn’t listed on the MSHSAA site (that I can find), the bio for former Kirksville pitcher Jackie Bishop, now at Missouri Western, says she once struck out 20 in a seven-inning high school game. *
Kickapoo managed four base hits against Rook, who also walked a batter. But of the 21 batters who made outs for Kickapoo, 19 failed to put the ball in play.
Republic scored all seven of its runs in the top of the 3rd inning. Kami Holt and Abby Norris each had two hits for Republic, and Holt drove in two runs.
Republic improves to 11-3 this season. They play at Webb City in a key COC showdown Tuesday night.