Lady Cats continue offensive tear against Anderson County

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 2, 2017

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg sophomore Molly Rison (above) was one of several Lady Cats to get hits Thursday in a sweep of Anderson County in Garnett.

GARNETT – Just two weeks ago, the Louisburg High School softball team found itself in rut and couldn’t find its way out.

The Lady Cats had lost five of their last six games and the offense couldn’t manage to get that big hit or put together a big inning.

A lot has changed since then.

Louisburg has now won six games in a row and its latest victim – Anderson County. The Lady Cats racked up 19 runs in two games and rolled to a 13-0 and 6-0 victory Thursday in Garnett.

The Lady Cats (9-7) have now scored 39 runs in their last four games and everything seems to be going right.

“The girls are playing loose and confident right now,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “I have continually emphasized to them the importance of capitalizing on our scoring opportunities. It will alleviate some of the pressure we have experienced with our defense and pitching in the latter part of games and it has worked.”

Senior Allyssa Griggs got the Lady Cats going in both games of the doubleheader as she tallied five hits, which included two home runs and 7 RBIs. Griggs is having great stretch for Louisburg as she now has five home runs in her last six games.

Louisburg didn’t waste time in the opener as it took a big lead. The Lady Cats scored seven runs in the first two innings in the opener to pull away and then used a four-run seventh inning in the nightcap to seal the sweep.

“We got the bats going early,” Ozier said. “Everyone put together great at bats. We are more patient at the plate, and it is really paying off. Hard hit balls that were being caught earlier in the season are now finding holes. Allyssa continued her home run tear and up and down the lineup we are putting the ball in play and making the defense make plays.”

The bats heated up early for Louisburg as it jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings in the opener. The Lady Cats scored three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings to secure the run-rule win.

Griggs finished the game with 5 RBIs, including a 3-run home run to lead Louisburg. Senior Emalee Overbay knocked in four runs, while sophomores Karson Griggs and Molly Rison each had three hits.

Rison also had a pair of RBIs along with Allison Boles and Madison Svoboda. Boles and Svoboda each recorded a double in the win.

Allyssa Griggs also did the work on the mound. Griggs threw a complete game shutout and allowed just one hit to go along with two strikeouts.

Boles continued the strong pitching in the nightcap as she also earned the complete game win. The Louisburg freshman gave up just three hits over seven innings and struck out seven.

“Allyssa and Allie were both in a groove,” Ozier said. “They worked ahead to most batters and had a nice rhythm going.”

Kennia Hankinson, Karson Griggs, Allyssa Griggs and Rison each finished the game with two hits. Karson recorded a pair of doubles and 2 RBIs, while Hankinson, Rison and Allyssa each scored a pair of runs. Allyssa also had a solo home run in the fourth inning.

Louisburg will try to continue its winning streak tonight when it hosts Ottawa for senior night as the Lady Cats honor their three seniors – Allyssa Griggs, Emalee Overbay and Hailey Crowder. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

“The girls are a more relaxed team right now,” Ozier said. “We know that we are headed back into the tough back end of our schedule, but we appear more ready to take on the challenge.”