Lady Cats lose regional game to Paola

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 24, 2016

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg shortstop Katie Baker leaps in the air to catch a throw as she made the out at second base during last Wednesday’s regional tournament game in Paola. The Lady Cats fell to No. 1 seed Paola 10-0 to end their year with a 5-16 record.

PAOLA – Whenever you are going up against a tournament’s No. 1 seed, it is going to be a tough game and that was the case for No. 4 seed Louisburg last Wednesday.

The Lady Cats faced off with No. 1 Paola during the Class 4A regional tournament on the Panthers’ home field. Louisburg just didn’t have the offense to stay with Paola and it fell 10-0 in six innings.

Despite the loss, Louisburg had a big improvement from a season ago as it went from a winless program last year to five this season. The Lady Cats finished with a 5-16 record.

“Overall it was a very good season,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “It was a true pleasure to coach this group of girls. They all showed a high level of commitment throughout the season. We were very competitive and made great strides in building the program.”

Louisburg’s offense had a tough time getting going against Paola as it managed just three hits and never threatened to score. Miranda White, Molly Rison and Kennia Hankinson all had singles for Louisburg.

Louisburg senior Miranda White runs down a fly ball during the Lady Cats’ regional game last Wednesday in Paola.

Paola scored three runs in the first, second and fourth innings, before adding a run in the sixth to complete the run-rule victory

The loss also meant they had to say goodbye to seniors Paige Shaffer, Christina Dalrymple and White. Louisburg had to play without Dalrymple for most of the season due to a season-ending injury, but Ozier knows all three played big roles on the team.

“Our seniors were very instrumental in our success,” Ozier said. “Losing Christina early in the season was a devastating loss. Miranda and Paige really stepped up their game and provided much needed leadership for a team that had as many as four freshmen on the field at any given time. I am already looking forward to next season.”