Good news! I’ll be in St. Joseph for the softball games, streaming the live audio play-by-play of the Lady Tigers’ quest for a state title. I’ll have more details as the time gets closer. For now, tell everyone they can listen to the games at RepublicTigerSports.com.
Hailey’s Heroics
October 17, 2009 By 1 Comment
Hailey Johnson connects on a game-winning grand slam to send the Lady Tigers to the state semifinals.
Hailey Johnson slugged a grand slam with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Republic advanced to the state semifinals with a dramatic 4-2 win over Southern Boone County at Ash Grove Saturday. [Read more...]
Republic Softball Featured in News-Leader
October 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The News-Leader had a long article about the Lady Tigers softball team today, as they prepare for their quarterfinal game against Southern Boone County.
After Haley Johnson tied the state record for home runs (13) and drove in the second most runs (54) in state history last season, opposing softball teams adjusted, prudently pitching around the Republic High School senior as much as possible this fall.
AdvertisementTrouble is, Republic adjusted too, moving Johnson up to the leadoff spot and putting a couple of capable run-producers –senior Amanda Davis and sophomore Payton Appleberry –behind her to make other teams pay for dealing free-passes to Johnson.
Go read the whole thing here. The Lady Tigers play today at 4 p.m. in Ash Grove.
Softball Quarterfinal Details Set
October 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Republic will play at 4 p.m. Saturday in the softball state quarterfinals at Ash Grove. The Lady Tigers (19-10) will meet Southern Boone County (19-4).
Here’s how Google Maps tells me to get to the field, starting from Republic High School:
A tater for Tater
October 14, 2009 By 2 Comments
Senior Amanda “Tater” Davis had never hit a home run before, at any level. Until Wednesday. With Republic leading Carl Junction by one run in the top of the 6th inning, Davis hit a grand slam to break open the game and propel the Lady Tigers to a 6-1 sectional victory. [Read more...]
Six Straight!
October 12, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Republic Lady Tigers are district softball champs for the sixth time in a row. They beat Reeds Spring 7-3 to capture the title at Bolivar Monday.
Hailey Johnson struck out 11 and reached base four times to lead Republic. She doubled to lead off the first, and that led to an unearned run that scored when Rachael Michaelis reached on an error later in the inning. Johnson also doubled in the second, setting up RBI hits by Amanda Davis and Payton Appleberry. The Lady Tigers led 4-0 after two innings.
Both offenses were quiet until the bottom of the sixth, when Republic scored three more insurance runs. A walk to Johnson, a groundout by Davis, and another hit by Appleberry put runners on first and third. Michaelis and Logan Keck followed with RBI hits, to make the score 7-0.
The game got interesting in the top of the 7th, thanks to some shaky defense by the Lady Tigers. Three singles and two infield errors made the score 7-3, and Reeds Spring had runners on first and third before Johnson struck out cleanup hitter Shailyn Brown to end the game.
Johnson and Appleberry each had two hits for Republic. They’ll play in the sectionals–the round of 16–Wednesday evening at Bolivar.
Lady Tigers Advance to District Final
October 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Republic softball team is one win away from another district title. Republic beat 4th-seeded Cassville 7-1 in the district semifinals Saturday. That sets up a district final against Reeds Spring Monday.
The Lady Tigers broke on top 1-0 in the first inning. Hailey Johnson walked, and Amanda Davis sacrificed courtesy runnger Logan Keck to second base. Keck scored on an RBI base hit by Payton Appleberry.
After Bolivar tied the game, Republic scored two more to retake the lead. Carlie Campbell scored on a throwing error by the Cassville catcher as she was trying to steal second base. Bre Hemphill walked and scored on a base hit by Hailey Johnson to make the score 3-1.
Hailey Johnson hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Lady Tigers scored three more runs to make the score 7-1, where it ended.
Republic will meet Reeds Spring in the final at Bolivar, Monday at 5 pm. The two teams met during the first week of the season, with Republic winning 7-3.
Second-seeded Reeds Spring advanced to the district final with a semifinal win over Bolivar.
Lady Tigers Get 2nd Straight Blowout Win
October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Lady Tigers softball team finished its regular season on a high note, with a 10-0 victory over Marshfield Wednesday. It was the second 10-0 win this week for Republic.
Hailey Johnson pitched her second shutout in a row. Carlie Campbell contributed a diving catch in center field.
Republic heads into the district tournament later this week playing some of its best softball of the season. The Lady Tigers beat Glendale and Marshfield by a combined score of 20-0.
The JV team won 6-1, thanks to strong pitching performances by Stephanie Eckhoff and Brooke Dutton. They finished their season with a record of 12-2.
Two Seniors Come Through
October 5, 2009 By Leave a Comment
On senior night, the softball team’s two seniors came through. Hailey Johnson and Amanda Davis each had big nights in a 10-0 victory over Glendale, before being honored by their teammates and coaches. The two seniors contributed three RBIs apiece, and Johnson pitched a shutout in their last game at Miller Park.
Payton Appleberry added a home run (watch the video) to break a personal 0-for-8 dry spell, and the Republic offense busted out of a collective slump heading into postseason play later this week.
After the game, the two seniors were honored for their contributions to the softball program, including their role in Republic’s first trip to the state semifinals last year. The Lady Tigers improve to 12-6 this season.
Check out the photo set from tonight, and listen to interviews with Coach Mike Thorne and seniors Hailey Johnson and Amanda Davis in the audio player at the bottom of this post.
Republic Nabs Top Seed in District Softball Tournament
October 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Republic softball team is the top seed in a six-team field for the upcoming District 11 Tournament at Bolivar. The Lady Tigers will have a bye in the first round, along with #2 seed Reeds Spring. [Read more...]
