Lady Cats hit into bad luck against Fort Scott

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 7, 2016

Louisburg senior Miranda White connects on a base hit during the second game of the Lady Cats’ doubleheader with Fort Scott on Tuesday at Lewis-Young Park. White finished the doubleheader with five hits, but Louisburg fell 1-0 and 7-4.

The Louisburg High School softball team nearly tasted its first victory of the season Tuesday against Fort Scott, but the ball just didn’t bounce the Lady Cats’ way.

Fort Scott needed just one run to defeat Louisburg 1-0 in the first game of the doubleheader at Lewis-Young Park and then took advantage of a couple Lady Cat mistakes to take the second game 7-4 to complete the sweep.

The Lady Cats had opportunities in both games to break the game open, but couldn’t get the big hit they were looking for.

In the opener, Louisburg junior Allyssa Griggs provided the Wildcats with a strong performance on the mound. Griggs pitched a complete game where she allowed just one run on three hits and struck out three batters.

Griggs walked just one, which was Fort Scott’s Emily Hale, who later stole second and scored on a single in the second inning to give the Tigers all the runs they needed.

“Game one was all about pitching and defense,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “Allyssa did a great job of locating her pitches and keeping things close. Our defense was outstanding tonight. The girls are really learning to trust each other, especially with runners on base.

“Offensively, we are hitting the ball hard, but at this point, don’t have much to show for it. The girls are doing a nice job of putting the ball in play. We will continue to work hard in practice on ways to increase our scoring opportunities.”

Louisburg (0-4) did have a few scoring opportunities, including one big one in the first inning. Senior Christian Dalrymple singled to open the inning and junior Emalee Overbay followed with a triple, but Dalrymple was ruled out at home.

Freshman Kelsey Higginbotham rears back for a pitch during the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader with Fort Scott.

The Lady Cats had runners in scoring position again in the second inning, but were caught stealing. Senior Miranda White doubled with one out in the third inning, but was left stranded.

White and Overbay each had a pair of hits to lead the Lady Cat offense, while Dalrymple and freshman Kennia Hankinson both had a single to account for the six Louisburg hits.

The offense started to come together for Louisburg in the nightcap but the Lady Cats had to climb out of a five-run hole to start the game. Fort Scott scored a pair of runs in the first and second innings, and another in the third off freshman starter Kelsey Higginbotham to take a 5-0 lead.

Louisburg answered back in the bottom of the third with three runs. The Lady Cats loaded the bases and then Katie Baker scored after Overbay was hit by a pitch. Griggs then walked to score White and Hankinson grounded out to plate Dalrymple.

Fort Scott added another run in the fourth to make it 6-3, but Louisburg answered right back when White singled and later scored on an Overbay double. Fort Scott added a run in the seventh to put the Tigers up three and seal the win.

White led the Louisburg offensive attack with three hits on the night, while Overbay added a pair of RBIs. Freshman Molly Rison had a double, while Dalrymple and Hankinson each finished with a single.

“Fort Scott jumped on us early in the second game,” Ozier said. “We kept our poise and gradually began to chip away at their lead, At this point, we have just not been able to bust through with a big inning. I really feel like we are one big hit away from knocking down that door.”

Louisburg will try for that first win today when it hits the road for the first time. The Lady Cats will travel to Prairie View High School for a doubleheader and first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.