Wildcats clinch share of league title with Senior Night win over Eudora

It’s been 22 years since Louisburg baseball had found itself atop the Frontier League standings.

That long wait is finally over.

The Wildcats clinched at least a share of the Frontier League title Tuesday as they used a big second inning to propel them to a 16-5 victory over Eudora. Add in the fact it was Senior Night, and it was an emotional night all the way around.

“Clinching a share of the league title is huge for this program,” Louisburg coach Kade Larson said. “This was one of the goals they set at the start of the year and they’ve worked their butts off to make it happen.”

It wasn’t the best start for the Wildcats as they found themselves down five runs after the top of the first inning. It didn’t take long for them to turn it around.

Louisburg (15-4) scored 12 runs in the bottom of the second inning and took a 13-5 lead. It was lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“We really battled back in that game,” Larson said. “These guys knew they could do it and took a great approach up to the plate. We had some really great team at-bats that got the job done for us.”

The Wildcats got big hits from up and down their lineup. Senior Brody McGreer had two hits and 4 RBIs to help lead the way, while senior Jack Anderson had two hits, including a double and 3 RBIs.

Senior Jackson Howard, junior Luke Schultz and sophomore Danny Napier each drove home two runs, and Schultz added a 2-run triple in the second inning.

Junior Meade Rutherford had an RBI double and senior Nathaniel Lamm also recorded an RBI. Sophomore Bristol Barbour finished with two hits, while senior Declan Battle scored three runs.

Despite getting off to a rocky start in the first, Louisburg starter Alex Saad settled in and pitched three scoreless innings after that. Battle pitched the final inning to secure the win.

“Saad had a tough first inning, but it was really great to see him bounce back the way he did,” Larson said. “He pitched really well after that. Once we got him a lead, we knew he wasn’t going to give it back.”

Clinching a league title was the perfect way for the Wildcats honor their six seniors. Battle, Lamm, Howard, McGreer, Anderson and Conner Heston were all recognized with their parents following the contest.

“These seniors have been great for this program,” Larson said. “They have always done things the right way and have been great role models for the underclassmen. They will definitely be missed.”

The Wildcats were scheduled to play a doubleheader with the Cardinals, but the second game was canceled due to severe weather.

Louisburg will try and win the outright league title Friday when it hosts Baldwin in a makeup contest. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Lewis-Young Park.

Home run barrage leads to split at Chanute

Louisburg traveled to Chanute on Saturday for a pair of games against the Blue Comets and Prairie View.

After a tough 10-6 loss to Chanute, the Wildcat bats came alive in a big way with a 19-3 win over Prairie View. 

The Wildcats hit four home runs in the win over the Buffaloes, including two off the bat of senior Jack Anderson. Sophomore Danny Napier and junior Rylan Carty also homered in the win.

Junior Alex Saad also had a big day at the plate with three hits, including a double and triple, to go along with a team-high 4 RBIs. Junior Meade Rutherford had a double and 2 RBIs.

Anderson also started for Louisburg and picked up the win. He pitched four innings and gave up just one earned run and had four strikeouts. Howard pitched the final inning and struck out the side.

In the first game against Chanute, five Wildcat errors led to four unearned runs for the Blue Comets, which turned out to be the difference.

Chanute jumped out to a 5-1 lead and the Wildcats were unable to play catchup. 

Junior Luke Schultz had a big day at the plate with three hits, including a solo home run. Declan Battle, Napier, Anderson, Schultz and Nathaniel Lamm each had a double in the loss.

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