Lady Cats drop three games to Tonganoxie, Bonner Springs

Louisburg second baseman Jenna Cauthon dives for a ground ball while a Bonner Springs player leaps to get out of the way last Tuesday in Bonner Springs.

TONGANOXIE — The last week wasn’t too kind to the Louisburg softball team.

It started with a pair of losses to Bonner Springs last Tuesday and ended a with a setback Thursday at Tonganoxie.

Louisburg never got any traction against the Chieftains as the Lady Cats fell 11-1 in the one-game outing at Tonganoxie.

The Chieftains scored two runs in the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead. Freshman Addy Stohs doubled home fellow freshman Sabra Brueggen in the top of the third for the Lady Cats’ lone run.

Tonganoxie added three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to seal the win over Louisburg.

Louisburg had just four hits on the night, but two of them came off the bat of sophomore Jenna Cauthon, who had a pair of singles.

The Lady Cats (2-7) battled Bonner Springs last Tuesday and nearly came out with a win in the opener. However, Louisburg lost both contests 7-6 and 11-1.

Louisburg took a 2-0 lead in the first game against the Braves when Brueggen singled home Izzy Moreland and Stohs in the top of the second, but Bonner Springs responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Bonner Springs took a 6-2 advantage into the top of the seventh when the Lady Cats rallied for four runs to tie it.

Brueggen reached on an error that allowed Stohs to score and then Megan Quinn scored on an Ashley Moreau ground out.

Senior Mia Wilson came through with the biggest hit of the game for Louisburg on a single that scored Brueggen and Mackenzie Rooney to tie the game with two outs.

Bonner Springs scored quickly in the bottom of the seventh to win it thanks to an error, a passed ball and a wild pitch.

“Right now we are not playing up to our potential,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “The first game against Bonner, I was really proud of how we came back from a 4-run deficit in the top of the seventh to give ourselves a chance to win the game. That was a fun inning. 

“What’s hurting us is our inability to make routine plays. When we can figure out how to make routine plays consistently and not put as much pressure on our offense, then I think we are going to be really good. This week we are focused on growing and getting better every game we play.”

Wilson started the game and gave up two earned runs in five innings and struck out a pair of batters. She also led the Louisburg offense with a pair of singles, while Brueggen drove in three runs.

Louisburg took an early lead in the nightcap after Rooney led the game off with a single and came around to score on a double from Wilson. 

Bonner Springs responded with six runs in the first inning and never looked back.

The Lady Cats will try and snap their seven-game losing streak tonight when they travel to Ottawa. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.