Wildcat bats come alive in nightcap to earn split against Wellsville

Louisburg sophomore Brody McGreer slides safely into home Thursday during the Wildcats’ doubleheader with Wellsville at Lewis-Young Park.

As frustrating as the loss was Thursday in its opener against Wellsville, the Louisburg baseball team seemed to take out all the aggression it had on the Eagles in the nightcap.

Louisburg got to Wellsville’s pitching early and often as the Wildcats homered twice in their 19-4 victory over the Eagles at Lewis-Young Park.

Following a a tough 4-3 setback in the first game, the Wildcats got the revenge they were looking for in the second game of the doubleheader.

The Wildcats also had to battle the brutal elements as both games were played in windy, cold conditions. 

“It was great to see us bounce back after the game 1 loss,” Louisburg coach Kade Larson said. “We did really well getting guys in that were in scoring position. The conditions weren’t great. I thought we played well given the conditions. It took a while to get our bats going in game one, but we grounded into some untimely double plays that really hurt us in that game.”

Louisburg got its bats going with a run in the first inning when junior Corbin Hamman doubled home senior Maverick Rockers. 

The Wildcats (2-4) responded with four more runs in the second, and after Wellsville scored three in the third, Louisburg came back with 12 runs in the bottom of the frame.

Senior Brandon Doles ended the run-rule victory in the fourth inning with a 2-run home run to give the Wildcats their second win of the season. Rockers recorded a 2-run home run of his own in the second inning.

In all, senior Kolby Kattau and Hamman each led the way with three hits, including two doubles from Hamman and 3 RBIs.

“Mav, Doles and Hamman all swung it really well,” Larson said. “They each came up with some great hits with runners on base to get some much needed momentum. That big third inning was great to see. Everyone contributed and made the game a ton of fun despite the conditions.”

Rockers, Jackson Howard and Mack Newell each finished with a pair of hits and Newell finished with a team-high 4 RBIs. Brody McGreer, Kattau and Doles each had 2 RBIs in the game.

Kattau started the game for Louisburg and pitched all four innings and gave up three earned runs to go along with six strikeouts.

The Wildcats also got strong efforts on the mound in the opener as Hamman pitched three innings and gave up two earned runs and struck out three. Rockers threw the final four innings and gave up no earned runs and had three strikeouts. 

“All three pitchers threw really well,” Larson said. “They all competed and gave us a chance to win both games.”

Doles had another big offensive output in the first game as he finished with two doubles and drove home all three of the Wildcats’ runs. McGreer also had a pair of hits, while Battle and Jackson Kush both recorded a single.

The Wildcats were down 4-1 in the bottom of the seventh when Doles doubled home Battle and Rockers, but couldn’t get the tying run home.

Louisburg is back in action tonight when the Wildcats travel to Bonner Springs. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

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