The Lady Tigers scored five runs in the top of the 2nd inning, and that was more than enough for a win at McDonald County. Republic went on to beat the Mustangs 7-2 behind the pitching and hitting of Rachel Rook.
Rook struck out another 14 batters and allowed two runs — just one of them earned. She also drove in four runs. She hit a two-run homer, her second of the year, in the top of the 7th inning to give herself a cushion as she headed back to the circle to finish the game.
“Anytime you add runs, it kind of boosts everybody up, and it’s easier to pitch when you’re up by five.,“ says Rook.
Sydney Phillips also drove home two runs during the 2nd-inning rally.
Republic improves to 18-6. The Lady Tigers have one game left in the regular season. They host Rogersville on October 3rd before district play begins. Their district includes McDonald County, seeded #2. (The Lady Tigers are seeded #1.) Because of that, Rook says she took a different approach against the Mustangs Thursday.
“It was hard at first because we might see them at districts, so the game plan was a little different. My control wasn’t really there but my defense helped me and I did well enough to win,” she says.