Hamman’s complete game lifts Wildcats past Tonganoxie

Senior Corbin Hamman allowed just one run in a complete game effort as the Wildcats defeated Tonganoxie, 3-1, on Thursday at Lewis-Young Park.

Louisburg faced one of its more difficult challenges on the season as the Wildcats hosted the defending state runner-up Thursday at Lewis-Young Park.

The Wildcats also had to do it without their head coach. Kade Larson was away to be with his wife for the birth of their first child, so assistant coach Jeff Lohse took over head coaching duties and former assistant Jarrod Worthington helped fill in for Larson. 

It seemed to be a seamless transition and the players didn’t waste anytime giving Larson an early present on his new arrival.

Louisburg struck first with a two-run first inning, and that was all senior Corbin Hamman needed as he pitched a complete game and helped the Wildcats to a 3-1 victory over Tonganoxie.

It was the second win in three games for Louisburg after a split with Bonner Springs last Tuesday. It also improved the Wildcats’ record to 7-3 on the season.

“It was a huge win for us,” Larson said. “I’m so glad we had the support of everyone, and others were able to step in and keep the train rolling in the right direction. Worthington was great for us and so positive in the dugout with the guys. 

“We have some great leadership on this team from freshmen all the way up to seniors and I had no doubt they were going to do what was needed. Corbin threw his butt off and had some great defense behind him.”

Hamman limited the Chieftains’ chances all night as he gave up just one run on six hits. He also recorded eight strikeouts and didn’t give up a walk.

The Wildcats gave Hamman a lead to work with early with two runs in the first inning. 

Hamman scored the game’s first run after he opened the game with a walk, stole second and scored on a single by Cade Driskell. 

Junior Wyatt Holland came around to score the second run on a single by Nathaniel Lamm and a Tonganoxie error. In the top of the third, Tonganoxie cut the Louisburg lead in half.

It remained a 2-1 game until the bottom of the sixth. Driskell opened with a single and Holland came in to pinch run. He went on to steal second and went to third on a Tonganoxie error.

Lamm came through again for Louisburg as he singled home Holland to give the Wildcats a cushion. Hamman took it from there as he retired the Chieftains in order in the seventh.

Driskell and Lamm each had two hits to lead the Wildcat offense and were responsible for all three Louisburg runs. Hamman and Brody McGreer also had base hits in the game.

The schedule doesn’t get an easier for Louisburg as it hosts Ottawa for a doubleheader Tuesday at Lewis-Young Park. The Cyclones finished fourth in the state tournament a year ago.

Louisburg splits with Bonner Springs

Louisburg scored the first four runs of the game last Tuesday at home against Bonner Springs, and the Wildcats were able to hold on for an 8-6 victory over the Braves.

As good as the first game went for the Wildcats, their offense couldn’t follow suit in the nightcap as Bonner Springs handed Louisburg a 2-0 loss to force a split at Lewis-Young Park.

“The guys played well overall in game one,” Larson said. “We had some struggles in the field, but we kept our composure and found a way to pull off a win. We put pressure on them and had some great situational hitting to score runs. 

“Game two we struggled with the situational hitting side of things. The guys played really well in the field and had some great pitching. We just hit the ball right at them when we had runners in scoring position.”

In the opener, sophomore Luke Schultz led the Wildcat bats as he reached base four times, with two hits — including a double — and a pair of walks. He also scored two times and drove home a run.

Junior Declan Battle also finished with two hits and an RBI and senior Cade Driskell had 2 RBIs on the night. Junior Wyatt Holland also had an RBI double.

Sophomore Alex Saad started the game for Louisburg and went 3 2/3 innings and struck out four, while giving up two runs. Battle came in for the final three frames and struck out six despite having to work out of a difficult final inning.

The Wildcats took an 8-2 lead into the seventh inning before Bonner Springs scored four times to make it close.

Louisburg had a tough time getting its offense going in the nightcap as the Wildcats had just two hits. Bonner Springs scored a run in the first and second innings to secure the win.

Freshman Bristol Barbour had a strong outing for Louisburg as he pitched six innings and struck out eight, while giving up just the two runs. Schultz pitched the final inning and struck out a pair.