Wildcat softball stops losing skid with split of Anderson County

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 6, 2025

***Louisburg senior Addy Stohs is surrounded by her teammates after her first inning home run on May 1 in the doubleheader opener against Anderson County.***

The Louisburg softball team has had some rough patches so far this season, however the May 1 doubleheader opener against Anderson County wasn’t one of them.

Louisburg snapped a four-game losing streak as the Wildcats earned a 10-7 victory over Anderson County at Lewis-Young Park. The Wildcats put together a strong performance, especially at the plate.

Senior Addy Stohs led the charge as she got the Wildcats going in the first inning. After walk by Shyloh Waite and a double from McKinley Harmon, Stohs launched a 3-run home run over the left field fence.

The Wildcats took a 3-0 lead — one they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I’m really glad we picked up a win on Thursday night,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “We needed it. Still not pretty, but these girls are working to be better everyday and I’m super proud to be their coach.

“Addy has been such a great leader and consistent force on our team. She is fantastic on defense and one of strongest bats. I know she has been searching for that home run all season. I’m so proud of her growth and what she means to our team.”

Freshman Lydia Copeland made it a 5-run lead with a two-run double in the third that scored Raeya Keagle and Annabelle Hathaway. Louisburg then went on to add four more runs in the fourth thanks to four singles and a pair of walks.

Senior Brynley Bauer singled to score Harmon, while Hathaway scored Stohs on a fielder’s choice. Keagle then singled home pinch-runner Camryn Lane and Katie McKain singled in Emily Brotherton to make it a 9-0 advantage.

Anderson County made things interesting with two runs in the fifth, four in the sixth and another in the seventh, but the Wildcats were able to hold on.

Louisburg junior pitcher Paytyn Van Tyle had a big day on the mound. Not only did she pick up the victory, Van Tyle also recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts.

***Louisburg junior Paytyn Van Tyle struck out 11 batters against Anderson County on May 1 at Lewis-Young Park.***

“Paytyn is a solid force on the mound,” Chapman said. “She makes teams work for their hits and keeps them off balance. She gets our defense the routine play balls. Eleven strikeouts is huge. She has gotten better each game she has pitched. I’m proud of where she is at and where she is going to be as we finish this season off.”

The second game didn’t go as planned for the Wildcats as they dropped the final contest, 9-5, to record a split.

The Wildcats took a 3-0 lead in the first inning once again as Stohs doubled home Waite and then scored on a wild pitch. Hathaway then singled home pinch-runner Hannah Basore.

Louisburg (3-17) had the lead until the fifth when Anderson County tied the game with three runs of its own and then scored six more in the sixth.

Hathaway finished strong at the plate as she had four hits and 2 RBIs, while Bauer added three. Brotherton and Keagle also had two hits a piece, while Harmon and Stohs had an RBI.

Louisburg returns to action on May 6 as the Wildcats travel to Eudora for a single game. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

Wildcats drop home game to Chanute

In what was a rare Saturday game, Louisburg hosted Chanute as the Wildcats hoped to get back in the win column.

Unfortunately, Chanute had other plans. The Blue Comets struck early and held on for a 6-2 victory over the Wildcats.

“I thought we played fine,” Chapman said. “We just had an inning that we let get away a little bit. We had a tough time staying consistent at the plate and Chanute capitalized. That’s what happens. We had some solid innings on defense.

“McKinley is staying real consistent at the plate. She had a solid game. Addy had another good game. The bottom of our lineup is starting to get more and more consistent. I know we aren’t winning games, but from where we started against Frontenac until now, we are two different teams. I’m so proud of our progress. Our program is getting better and the wins will come.”