Louisburg puts it all together in sweep

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 17, 2015

Louisburg’s Alex Dunn (left) is congratulated by Mitchell Caldwell (1) and Grant Harding on Tuesday after scoring one of the Wildcats’s 26 runs in their sweep of Eudora at Lewis-Young Park. The Wildcats have now won four straight games.

Everything was working for the Louisburg baseball team during Tuesday’s home contest with Eudora.

The Wildcats got good pitching, strong defense and some timely hits that led to some big innings. It all resulted in a 14-0 and 12-2 doubleheader sweep over Eudora.

After beginning the season with a tough schedule and a 1-3 start, the Wildcats have now won four straight games as they are getting production from everyone in their lineup.

“Being able to play some good baseball and win a few games now has given us a lot of confidence going into the middle part of our season,” Louisburg coach Jeff Lohse said.

Louisburg (5-3) wasn’t lacking much confidence Tuesday as the Wildcat offense exploded in both games. The Wildcats scored five runs in the first three innings, but the flood gates opened in the fourth as Louisburg scored nine runs in the frame to go up by 14 runs.

Six players had at least two hits for the Wildcats and every player reached base one time or another. If they didn’t get a hit, they got a free base as the Wildcats were walked six times.

Junior Colton Smith had a good day at the plate with two hits, including a bases-loaded triple that drove home three runs and also had two stolen bases. Sophomore Grant Harding also had a double and a triple to go along with 2 RBIs

Senior Ethan Caldwell had a pair of hits, including a double and 2 RBIs. Juniors Cole Kramer and Austin Henderson also had RBI doubles.

Lucas Smith, who started the game on the mound, helped his cause with a pair of RBIs as well.

Louisburg senior Lucas Smith delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s home contest against Eudora. Smith pitched a complete game shutout and struck out five Cardinal batters

“I thought we had great approaches at the plate in both games,” Lohse said. “We were able to move runners and then drive them in. We have been stressing that a lot in practice lately and it is good to see us come through in those situations.”

Lucas Smith, a senior, picked up his first win of the season as he pitched the complete five-inning game. Smith gave up just three hits and struck out five batters.

When runners did reach base, the Wildcat defense was there to back him up. Catcher Alex Dunn threw out three runners trying to steal and caught two more in the second game.

“Lucas’ performance is what I expected from him all season,” Lohse said. “He was able to use all his pitches effectively today and keep them off balance while our defense was solid behind him.”

The Wildcats got another strong pitching performance in the nightcap as Harding pitched his second straight complete game to go to 2-0 on the year. Harding gave up two runs on six hits and struck out five Eudora batters.

Louisburg actually trailed 1-0 in the first inning, but Kramer led the bottom of the inning off after he was hit by a pitch. He then went on to steal two bases and score on an error.

Kramer led the Wildcat charge again in the second as he helped manufacture two runs. He drove home Blake Ruder on an RBI single and then scored himself later on a wild pitch.

Louisburg went on to score four runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth to complete the sweep.

Ruder, a sophomore, led Louisburg with three hits and scored twice. Kramer also had a pair of hits, including a triple.

Henderson had two hits that included a 2-run double and Dalton Stone had a pair of RBI singles as well.

“I thought we came out and were focused in game two,” Lohse said. “Once again, Grant did a very nice job on the hill. We had several guys step up at the plate and carry over where we left off from game one. We aren’t satisfied and still have a lot of things to work on.”