Lady Cats edged out by Tonganoxie in regional semifinal

By Andy Brown
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: May 23, 2022

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg sophomore Izzy Moreland pitched a complete game Tuesday at the Class 4A regional in Eudora, but the Lady Cats lost a close game to Tonganoxie, 2-1.

EUDORA — It had been more than month since the Louisburg softball team squared off with Tonganoxie.

Back in early April, the Lady Cats fell to the Chieftains by a run and they were hoping to get some revenge Tuesday when it faced off with Tonganoxie in the first round of the Class 4A regional tournament.

Just like a month ago, one run was the difference.

Tonganoxie scored two in the first inning and the Lady Cats couldn’t overtake the Chieftains in a 2-1 loss at Eudora High School, that ended their season with an 8-13 record.

“We played about as well as we have played all year long,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “It came down to a couple plays in the first inning that we didn’t make. After that, our girls were lights out on defense. We did everything we could to give ourselves a chance.”

The Lady Cats opened the game with a lead as they scored their lone run in the first inning. Freshman Mackenzie Rooney reached on a bunt single, stole second and later scored on an error on a popup by Jenna Cauthon.

Tonganoxie answered with two runs in the bottom of the first and that was all it needed as Louisburg had just four hits the rest of the game.

Rooney finished with a team-high two hits, while Cauthon, Megan Quinn and Amaya Weilert each added a single.

“That pitcher was tough for us,” Chapman said. “She wasn’t overpowering by any means, but what she threw was effective. We could never fully get momentum going. She made us put the ball in play and we just couldn’t capitalize on a couple opportunities with runners in scoring position.”

Sophomore starter Izzy Moreland kept the Lady Cats in the game. Moreland gave up no earned runs on two hits and struck out three.

“Izzy had another great night,” Chapman said. “She worked all over the strike zone and used all of her pitches very effectively. She made them put the ball in play. She made plays in the field as well. Very proud of her and the progress she made all year long.”

The Lady Cats made strides during the 2022 season. After recording just one win a year ago, they finished this season with eight victories and were a couple runs away from reaching the regional title game.

“I think overall we made huge strides this year,” Chapman said. “We are still a young team, but finished 8-13 in a very tough Frontier League and I think we learned a lot about what it’s going to take moving forward to be even more successful. I’m very proud of all the girls and what we accomplished this year. Now we go into the offseason, looking to get better and come back stronger next year.”