It’s been a tough year at the plate so far for senior Karleigh Summers. But when the Lady Tigers loaded the bases in the 5th inning at Ozark Tuesday, trailing by two runs, coach Lee Dishman told her to grab a bat and pinch hit.
Summers delivered by ripping a line drive grand slam over the left field fence, putting Republic on top 7-5 and clearing the way for a 10-6 road victory in the Central Ozark Conference. Her homer capped a six-run rally by the Lady Tigers, who had given up five runs in the previous inning, allowing Ozark to nab a 5-1 lead.
Republic’s big inning started when Kaitlyn Ragsdale reached on an error with one out. After Ally Stolte struck out, Livi Collier, Julia Higgins, and AJ Fenske singled and Megan Thorne walked, setting up Summers’ homer.
Republic tacked on three more runs in the 7th inning and held off a final Ozark rally for the victory.
Republic out-hit Ozark 10-9. Each team committed two errors. Higgins, Collier, Fenske, and Ragsdale had two hits apiece for Republic. Thorne had a hit, a walk, and a run scored. Ragsdale also stole two bases, bringing her season total to 19 through 14 games.
The Lady Tigers are 9-5. They host Neosho Thursday.