Hathaway homers, earns win to help Wildcats to split of Bonner

It wasn’t the start the Louisburg softball team was hoping for to its season, but things are starting to change for the better.

After losing their first nine games to start the year, the Wildcats have now won two of their last four, which included an 8-5 victory over Bonner Springs in the second game of a doubleheader on April 15 at Lewis-Young Park.

The victory came after losing the first game, 6-3, but the Wildcats didn’t let the one loss hamper them.

“I’m so dang proud of this team,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “I’ve told them everyday this season, that my expectation is that we are getting better than the day before. This team is doing that. Every game we have played, we have gotten better. 

Freshman Annabelle Hathaway came up big for the Wildcats in their latest victory as she contributed on the mound and at the plate.

Hathaway pitched a complete game and gave up just three earned runs on nine hits and struck out three. She also tallied one of the biggest hits of the game.

With Louisburg up two runs in the bottom of the fourth, Hathaway recorded her first varsity home run as it was a 2-run shot to left. It was also a 9-pitch at-bat in which she fouled off four pitches before getting the big hit.

“Annabelle had a heck of a game,” Chapman said. “She kept girls off balance and got some weak hits for our defense. She stayed calm through adversity and her defense had her back. It was a solid defensive game for us, all led by our freshman pitcher. 

“Then she had a big game at the plate. She found her groove again after struggling against Wellsville. I’m very proud of how she made adjustments and had a great night. Her at bat where she hit a bomb was solid. She had to fight for that pitch she got. With two strikes, she had to battle and foul off some pitches and then finally let one rip.”

The rest of the offense followed suit as seven Wildcats had multi-hit games, including a 3-hit performance from seniors Brynley Bauer and Addy Stohs. Bauer drove home a pair of runs and Stohs recorded an RBI single.

Sophomore McKinley Harmon, senior Emily Brotherton, junior Raeya Keagle and Hathaway each had two hits. Harmon and junior Shyloh Waite both had a double.

Senior Katie McKain, Brotherton and Harmon each had a run batted in.

The Wildcats also played strong defense behind Hathaway, which included a diving catch by Waite in centerfield that ended up saving a run early in the game.

In the opener, Bonner Springs began the game with three runs in the first, but the Wildcats responded with two of their own. The Braves added a run in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to take a 6-2 advantage.

Harmon, Hathaway and Brotherton each had two hits to lead the Wildcats, while Bauer had two runs batted in. Hannah Basore recorded an RBI single in the seventh.

Louisburg (2-11) will try for back-to-back wins tonight as it hosts Tonganoxie for a single game at Lewis-Young Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

“I’m really proud of our team,” Chapman said. “Our record doesn’t reflect our growth in the first half of our season. We are settling in and figuring out who we are, what we are good at and what we need to keep working at. I believe in these girls and I can’t wait for the back half of this season.”

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