Wellsville sweeps Louisburg softball

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 18, 2017

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg shortstop Kennia Hankinson tags out a Wellsville runner as both players await the call from the umpire Thursday at Lewis-Young Park. The Lady Cats lost both games of the doubleheader, 4-3 and 7-3.

The Louisburg High School softball team was well on its way to a win in its doubleheader opener Thursday against Wellsville.

Louisburg had a two-run lead with three innings to go and seemed to have all the momentum. However, those final three innings didn’t go as well for the Lady Cats as they committed two errors and had a passed ball that led to a run in a 4-3 loss at Lewis-Young Park.

In the nightcap, the Lady Cats got out to an early lead again, but Wellsville scored five unanswered runs that led to a 7-3 loss for Louisburg.

“We were all disappointed with the results of both games, especially after having the lead through most of the first game,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “Our biggest problem as a team right now is timely hitting. We are getting some great scoring opportunities, but just can’t get that big hit. I know the girls are frustrated right now, especially some of our run producers from last year.

“What ends up happening is they begin to press and it significantly alters their at bat. I am totally confident we will break out of it soon. We have too many talented hitters on this team for it to continue.”

The Lady Cats (3-5) scored a run in each of the first three innings in the opener to jump out to a 3-1 lead. Allyssa Griggs tripled home Karson Griggs for a run in the first, Kennia Hankinson tripled and scored on a wild pitch in the second and Molly Rison doubled home Karson Griggs in the third.

Wellsville answered with a run in the fifth and then scored two in the sixth on a pair of doubles and two Louisburg errors to take a 4-3 lead.

Karson Griggs, who led Louisburg with three hits, got on base in the bottom of the seventh and represented the tying run, but couldn’t come around to score.

Senior Hailey Crowder lays down a bunt during the first game of the doubleheader Thursday.

Allyssa Griggs started the game and pitched four innings and gave up one earned run and struck out four. Freshman Allison Boles came in for relief and gave up three runs, but none of them were earned and struck out two in three innings.

Louisburg got off to another quick start in the second game as it scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Madison Svoboda led the inning off with a walk, Allyssa Griggs doubled and then both runners scored on a double from Rison.

Wellsville scored a run in the second, three in the third and another in the fourth to take a 5-2 lead and made it difficult for the Lady Cats come back.

Rison, who finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBIs, hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to cut into the Wellsville lead. The Lady Cats had runners on base in the final three frames, but couldn’t get a rally going and Wellsville scored two more runs in the sixth to seal the win.

“Molly did a nice job at the plate,” Ozier said. “She seemed more relaxed and trusted her swing. However, most of our extra base hits as a team right now are with no one on base.”

Allyssa Griggs started the nightcap and went four innings and gave up four earned runs with three strikeouts, while Boles went the final three frames and gave up two runs – none of which were earned.

“Our pitching and defense were solid,” Ozier said. “We had some nice plays to get out of some innings. Trust is such an important part of this game, especially during a tough stretch like we are in right now. This is a great group of girls, and I am very confident they will continue to support each other throughout the remainder of the season.”

Louisburg has two road doubleheaders this week and the Wildcats begin play tonight when it travels to Baldwin. The Lady Cats will then travel to Osawatomie for two more games Thursday.