Louisburg softball picks up first win of season with split of Wellsville

By Andy Brown
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Updated: April 15, 2025

***Louisburg’s McKinley Harmon celebrates with coach Nick Chapman after a big hit during a game earlier this season. The Wildcats defeated Wellsville, 9-7, to get their first win of the season.***

WELLSVILLE — In what started out as a rough week for the Louisburg softball team, ended with the brightest spot of the season to date for the Wildcats.

Louisburg picked up its first win of the season on April 10 as the Wildcats traveled to Wellsville for a doubleheader. The Wildcats got the best of the Eagles in the first game as they held on for a 9-7 victory.

Although Louisburg fell 11-0 in the nightcap, the win in game one was exactly what the Wildcats needed after losing three games earlier in the week.

“That win was huge for us,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “We had a long, tough week. We dropped a close one to Baldwin to start the week. We hit the ball real well that night, but it came down to us being able to make plays when we needed it and we just didn’t. We couldn’t put them away and Baldwin did a great job capitalizing on our mistakes. I think we used that as fuel to finish our game on Thursday night.

“We went and played a really good Spring Hill team on Tuesday, then went out to Wellsville. Everything was on the road. The girls came out after all that and put together a great offensive show. We played the best defense we have all year and found a way to put one in the win column. I’m very proud of how they responded to a tough week and put a complete game together, as a team.”

The Wildcats scored five runs in the first three innings to take a a 5-4 lead going into the fifth. Wellsville scored a run to tie it in the bottom of the fifth.

Louisburg used a 4-run sixth inning to get back out to a big lead. The Wildcats took advantage of three Wellsville errors in the inning to go up 9-5.

Wellsville rallied in the bottom of the seventh with two runs, but the Wildcats were able to shut the door.

Louisburg junior Paytyn Van Tyle earned the complete game victory as she recorded six strikeouts and just two earned runs.

“Paytyn threw really well all week and against Wellsville was no different,” Chapman said. “She struck out 6 and forced them to put the ball in play. She caused a lot of weak hits with how well she can locate a pitch and change up timing of hitters. Our defense was focused on having her back and one of our goals was no snowball innings and we accomplished that.”

The Wildcats got production from up and down their lineup and were led by a two seniors. Addy Stohs and Brynley Bauer each had three hits to lead the attack, while Bauer had 3 RBIs.

Senior Emily Brotherton had 2 RBIs, while Shyloh Waite and McKinley Harmon each had two hits. Harmon and Lydia Copeland each had a double.

“The stats don’t show it, but Addy has been seeing the ball real well,” Chapman said. “She is consistently hitting the ball hard all over the field. She can also move baserunners real well with a well timed bunt. She has a lot of skills that make her a dangerous threat every at-bat.

“Brynley has been a consistent force at the plate. When we need a big time hit, she’s got it. With her in the 5 spot, she clears the bases pretty well but she can also be a great leadoff when we need it.”

In the second game, the Wildcats managed jut three hits, while Wellsville scored 11 runs in the first four innings to prevent the sweep.

Louisburg will try to build on the victory as the Wildcats host Bonner Springs for a doubleheader on April 15, then a single game against Tonganoxie on April 17.

“Our girls needed to feel what winning was like and put that in the experience bank,” Chapman said. “We have a week where we can keep that confidence and continue to build on our success to bank some more positives as we get to the end of April.”

Wildcats fall to Baldwin, Spring Hill

Louisburg was just a couple innings away from getting that first win of the season on April 7 as the Wildcats traveled to Baldwin for a single game with the Bulldogs.

Louisburg took a 9-run lead into the bottom of the fifth, but Baldwin scored 10 in the final three innings, including six in the fifth to defeat the Wildcats in walk-off fashion, 12-11.

The Wildcat offense had one of its best days of the season as they pounded out 23 hits on the night as eight of the nine batters in the lineup had a multi-hit game.

Emily Brotherton led the way with four hits, including a double. McKinley Harmon, Annabelle Hathaway, Brynley Bauer and Katie McKain each had three hits. McKain and Hathaway had a triple and 2 RBIs, while Harmon and Bauer doubled.

Raeya Keagle led the team with 3 RBIs and a double. Paytyn Van Tyle also had two hits, 2 RBIs and a double, while Addy Stohs added a pair hits.