Wildcats snap losing streak with sweep of Bonner Springs

Louisburg junior Brandon Doles brings home a pitch Tuesday during the Wildcats’ home opener against Bonner Springs.

In the midst of four-game losing streak, the Louisburg baseball team needed something positive to go its way.

The Wildcats hosted Bonner Springs on Tuesday for their home opener at Lewis-Young Park and they christened their home field with a pair of victories.

Louisburg defeated Bonner Springs, 5-4, in the first game as it won in walk-off fashion and then followed it up with a 9-6 win in the nightcap to complete the sweep.

“That was a much needed sweep,” Louisburg coach Kade Larson said. “After playing good Piper and Spring Hill teams, it was nice to get back in the win column. We didn’t play our best game and definitely have some areas to clean up, but whenever you can come out with two wins in a night you’re happy with that.”

The Wildcats were staring at five losses in a row in the first game as they were down 4-3 going into their final at-bat.

Senior Matt Madison led off with a walk, while Brandon Doles and Trevin Lohse each followed with singles to load the bases. George Reichart then walked in pinch-runner Sam Hastings to tie the game.

Sophomore Mack Newell provided the heroics in the next at-bat as he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Doles and the Wildcats were able to pull out the win.

Louisburg rallied despite struggling in the field with seven errors. The Wildcats held a 3-0 lead, but Bonner Springs tied it in the fifth thanks to a pair of Louisburg errors.

The Braves then tied it in the seventh on another Wildcat mistake, before the Wildcats put together their comeback.

“One thing I loved is that we never gave up,” Larson said. “We had a rough day with costly errors, but we kept battling and found a way to give ourselves a chance to win the game. We needed base runners and we found a way to get them. 

“Mack found a way to hit a deep enough fly ball to bring in the winning run. I was really proud of his approach and doing what he needed to do to help the team.”

Doles started the game for the Wildcats and pitched five innings where he gave up three earned runs and struck out five. Junior Kolby Kattau came in for relief to get the win and allowed just one unearned run in two innings.

Lohse led the Wildcat offense with three hits on the day, while Reichart, Newell and senior A.J. Drew each had a run batted in.

Louisburg (4-4) had no problems getting its bats going in the second game as it took a 7-1 lead after four innings – thanks to a 5-run fourth.

Lohse started the game and had the Bonner offense off-balance for four of his five innings and struck out five. Sam Hastings came in for the final two innings of relief and allowed just one run on two hits.

Hastings also provided a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth to all but seal the win for the Wildcats.

“In the second game we were patient at the plate and did a great job of situational hitting,” Larson said. “Two guys that really stood out were Trevin and Sam on the mound. Trevin has a no-hitter through 4 and controlled the game really well. Then Sam came in and closed it out and added two RBI’s for insurance in the bottom of the 6th that turned out to be a big help.”

Sophomore third baseman Cade Driskell had a big day at the plate as he went 3-for-3 with a double. Junior Maverick Rockers and Doles each finished with a pair of hits and a run batted in, with Doles adding a double.

Louisburg will try and make it three in a row today when it hosts Tonganoxie for one game. 

Wildcat lose two to Spring Hill

On April 6, the Wildcats traveled to Spring Hill for a Frontier League doubleheader and the Wildcats had a tough time with a pair of 12-1 and 10-4 losses.

The Broncos used a seven-run fourth inning in the opener that broke open a 5-1 game at the time.

In the nightcap, Louisburg actually had a 4-3 lead in the fifth, but the Broncos scored four runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to pull away.

Freshman Declan Battle led the Wildcat offense in the the nightcap with three hits, including a triple. Sophomore Cade Driskell had two hits, one of which was a double.

Battle, Driskell and A.J. Drew each had an RBI.

Maverick Rockers provided the Wildcats with a good start as he gave up three runs in three innings and struck out three.