Wildcats keep winning streak alive with road victory over Tonganoxie

TONGANOXIE — It has been several years since the Louisburg baseball team has seen a start to its season like this one.

Going into Thursday’s Frontier League contest at Tonganoxie, the Wildcats had won nine of their first 10 games and had posted one of the top records in Class 4A. 

It only got better as the Wildcats got a 9-4 victory over Tonganoxie to earn another league victory and improved its record to 10-1 on the season. 

“The guys are playing really well right now,” Louisburg coach Kade Larson said. “We talked at the start about the potential this team has and so far we are playing up to it. We have a lot of baseball left and need to stay focused on our goal of winning one game at a time.”

Louisburg jumped out to a big lead early and were able to hold on thanks to the pitching of Alex Saad. The Louisburg junior pitched five innings and gave up just one earned run and struck out eight.

Senior Declan Battle came in for the final two innings of relief and gave up just one earned run and struck out three.

“Alex pitched really well all night,” Larson said. “He got ahead in the count against most batters and that helped him a lot.”

The Wildcats jumped out to 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning, thanks to a two-run double from Meade Rutherford and an RBI single from Battle in the top of the frame.

Tonganoxie answered with three runs in its half of the third to swing the momentum on its side. Louisburg didn’t waste much time in taking it back.

Sophomore Danny Napier and senior Jackson Howard hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the fourth inning and the Chieftains never threatened again.

“Danny and Jackson going back to back was huge for us,” Larson said. “Having just given up three in the bottom of the third inning, immediately answering with two home runs got the momentum back for us right away.

“Tonganoxie is a great program. Going into their place and finding a way to win is tough. The guys knew they had to play well and they stepped up.”

Battle led the Wildcat bats with four hits on the night to go along with 2 RBIs. Senior Nathaniel Lamm also added two hits and drove in a run. 

Louisburg will try and continue its 8-game winning streak Tuesday when it travels to Piper for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

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