Wildcats start new winning streak with sweep of Lansing

LANSING — After Louisburg saw its 9-game winning streak snapped early last week, the Wildcats didn’t waste much time starting a new one. 

Louisburg went on the road for a doubleheader against Lansing, the Wildcats’ second Class 5A opponent of the week, and left with a pair of close victories.

The Wildcats earned a 5-4 victory in the opener Friday. They needed extra innings against the Lions in the nightcap as they earned another 5-4 win.

Louisburg is now 13-2 on the season and currently has the second best record on the east side of Class 4A.

“Going on the road and winning two games is tough,” Louisburg coach Kade Larson said. “The guys competed at the plate and on the mound all night. It was great to see everyone rally together and find a way to win two close games.”

In the opener, the Wildcats got out to the early lead with three runs in the second inning. Sophomore Bristol Barbour singled home Jackson Howard and Jack Anderson, while senior Brody McGreer drove in Nathaniel Lamm with another single.

Lansing scored two in the fourth to cut the Louisburg lead to one, but the Wildcats got those runs right back. In the top of the fifth, Anderson singled home Declan Battle and Luke Schultz to make it a 5-2 game.

The Lions scored two in the bottom of the fifth to make it a one run game, but the Wildcats were able to hold on.

Junior Alex Saad got the win for Louisburg as he gave up four runs on five innings and had a pair of strikeouts. Junior Carter Willey pitched the final two innings and gave up just one hit to get the save.

In the second game, Louisburg scored a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 4-2 lead after five, but Lansing scored two in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

It was then when senior Conner Heston provided some heroics. Meade Rutherford led the inning with a walk, while Barbour and Lamm each singled to load the bases. 

Heston followed with a single to score Saad, who was pinch-running for Rutherford, to give the Wildcats the lead back.

“Conner put pressure on them and got the job done,” Larson said. “We talk all the time about putting pressure and he did just that, and it paid off for us.”

Rutherford pitched the final three innings to get the win, including working a scoreless bottom of the eighth. Anderson got the start for Louisburg and pitched five innings and gave up just two earned runs and had four strikeouts.

“Jack Anderson threw really well for us,” Larson said. “He hasn’t gotten much work on the mound this year and he stepped up and competed for us.”

Lamm led the Wildcat offense with a pair of hits, a double and 2 RBIs, while junior Luke Schultz also had two hits. Sophomore Danny Napier and Anderson each added a double as well.

Louisburg is back in action today as the Wildcats travel to Blue Valley High School for a single game. First pitch is set for 4:45 p.m.

Wildcats record road split at Piper

Gusty winds provided an offensive explosion for Louisburg during last Tuesday’s road doubleheader at Piper.

The Wildcats used their bats to hold on for a 19-15 victory over the Pirates in the opener and won their ninth straight game at the time. That streak came to an end a couple hours later.

Piper scored a pair of runs late as the Pirates snapped Louisburg’s streak, 7-5.

“We found a way to win game one in less than ideal conditions,” Larson said. “We took advantage of some opportunities they gave us and turned it into some much needed run support. I liked the way we battled and continued playing hard.”

Louisburg used the long ball to its advantage in the first game as the Wildcats got home runs from Nathaniel Lamm and Declan Battle to power the Wildcats’ offense.

Battle had a home run, a double and 4 RBIs to lead the Wildcat bats, while Lamm also homered and doubled and drove in three runs.

Sophomore Danny Napier also was big at the plate with two doubles and 4 RBIs, while junior Luke Schultz had three hits, a triple and 3 RBIs. Seniors Jackson Howard and Jack Anderson also drove in a run.

The Wildcats took a 11-3 lead going into the bottom of the third before Piper struck for seven in its half of the inning to make it a one-run game. Louisburg answered right back with six in the fourth inning to hold on for the win.

Junior Jayce Toms and Battle combined to throw the first six innings for Louisburg, while junior Carter Willey got the save with an inning of work in the seventh.

In the nightcap, Lamm continued his strong performance at the plate with his second home run of the night — a grand slam — that gave Louisburg a one-run lead in the fourth.

Piper tied it with a run in the fourth and added two more in the fifth to take the lead for good.

Anderson led Louisburg’s bats with two hits, including a solo home run.

Schultz started the game for Louisburg and gave up just one earned run through four innings and struck out five. Three Wildcat errors led to four unearned runs.

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