Kami Holt tripled off the fence in her first at-bat of the season. She was just getting warmed up.
Holt followed that up with a 3-run homer that was the decisive blast in a 10-4 season-opening win by Republic over Monett. She ended her day 3-for-3 with three runs scored and three runs batted in.
The home run for Holt was the 20th of her career. One more home run will tie her with Republic’s Hailey Johnson and Savannah Fisher of Hallsville for 10th all-time in Missouri.
Julia Higgins, Rachel Rook, and Alyssa Roth all added two hits apiece for the Lady Tigers, who improved to 1-0 this year. Republic scored in every inning but one, plating two runs in the 1st, three in the 2nd, one in the 3rd, two in the 4th, and two in the 6th.
Rachel Rook picked up the complete-game win, despite struggling with her control at times. Rook allowed four runs–two of them earned–on three hits. She struck out six, walked three, and hit three batters.
The Lady Tigers will be back in action next Wednesday, when they host Reeds Spring.