Lady Cats earn split to salvage senior night

By Andy Brown
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Updated: May 8, 2017

Andy Brown / Louisburg Sports Zone

Louisburg’s Kennia Hankinson knocks a base hit up the middle Tuesday against Ottawa at Lewis-Young Park. The Lady Cats lost the doubleheader opener 9-8, but came back strong with an 18-8 win in nightcap.

The Louisburg High School softball team suffered one of its toughest losses of the season Tuesday, and unfortunately for the Lady Cats, it came on Senior Night.

Louisburg watched as Ottawa scored four times in the final inning to take a 9-8 win over the Lady Cats in the opening game of the doubleheader.

However, instead of letting that game ruin their night, the Lady Cats responded with an 18-run performance in the nightcap for an 18-8 victory to earn a split over the Cyclones. It was a great way for seniors Emalee Overbay, Allyssa Griggs and Hailey Crowder to say goodbye to their home fans as all three played their final game at Lewis-Young Park.

“It was good to see our three seniors finish out their home season with a win,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “All three girls have been strong leaders with their defense, hitting and pitching. All three have provided big plays and/or hits this season to put us in position to win games. They will be missed next year.”

The Lady Cats (10-8) trailed by a run going into the second inning of the final game of the doubleheader, but their bats woke up in a big way as they scored eight times in the frame to grab an 10-2 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Freshman Allison Boles had a perfect 5-for-5 performance at the plate with two doubles and 4 RBIs. Sophomore Madison Svoboda came through with four hits and 3 RBIs, including just missing her second home run of the doubleheader after her fly ball hit the top of the fence and came back in for a double.

Karson Griggs, a sophomore, had a double and drove home four runs. Overbay also had three hits to help lead the Lady Cats as everyone in the lineup each had at least one hit.

“Up and down the lineup our hitters have gained tremendous confidence throughout the string of wins we have put together,” Ozier said. “Some of our underclassmen have come through with some key hits. It has taken the pressure off the seniors to have to carry the load.”

Boles pitched all five innings to earn the win for Louisburg as she was able to hold off the Ottawa offense enough to get the run-rule win.

Louisburg seniors (from left) Emalee Overbay, Allyssa Griggs and Hailey Crowder were honored Tuesday during Senior Night ceremonies.

Ottawa grabbed the lead early on Louisburg in the first game as it had a 5-3 advantage going into the fourth inning, when the Lady Cats scored three times to take the lead. Louisburg then got two more runs in the sixth on a two-run home run from Allyssa Griggs.

Allyssa, who also started the game for the Lady Cats, got the first two outs of the seventh before Ottawa started to chip away and scored four runs with two outs to take the lead back.

Louisburg had runners to try and tie the game in the seventh, but the Wildcats popped into a double play and then grounded out to end the contest.

“I must admit we were all stunned by the loss,” Ozier said. “We had battled the entire game after being down early and thought we had enough to finish. Ottawa never quit, even with two out and nobody on in their last at bat.

“We re-grouped between games and came out and exploded with our bats. We had some big hits with runners in scoring position all night. This is something we have struggled with all season, but lately have corrected.”

Allyssa Griggs led the Louisburg offense with three hits in the effort to go along with 4 RBIs. Svoboda also had a big game as she recorded her first home run of her high school career – a solo shot to get Louisburg on the board in the second inning.

Overbay and Molly Rison also had a two-hit game for the Lady Cats, as they cranked out 11 hits as a team.

Although the loss ended a six-game winning streak for Louisburg, the Lady Cats have still won seven of their last eight games as they end the regular season today when they travel to the defending state champion – Spring Hill. Louisburg will then compete in the regional tournament next week in Paola.