Louisburg senior Miranda White connects on a base hit during the second game of the Lady Cats’ doubleheader with Fort Scott on Tuesday at Lewis-Young Park. White finished the doubleheader with five hits, but Louisburg fell 1-0 and 7-4.

The Louisburg High School softball team nearly tasted its first victory of the season Tuesday against Fort Scott, but the ball just didn’t bounce the Lady Cats’ way.

Fort Scott needed just one run to defeat Louisburg 1-0 in the first game of the doubleheader at Lewis-Young Park and then took advantage of a couple Lady Cat mistakes to take the second game 7-4 to complete the sweep.

The Lady Cats had opportunities in both games to break the game open, but couldn’t get the big hit they were looking for.

In the opener, Louisburg junior Allyssa Griggs provided the Wildcats with a strong performance on the mound. Griggs pitched a complete game where she allowed just one run on three hits and struck out three batters.

Griggs walked just one, which was Fort Scott’s Emily Hale, who later stole second and scored on a single in the second inning to give the Tigers all the runs they needed.

“Game one was all about pitching and defense,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “Allyssa did a great job of locating her pitches and keeping things close. Our defense was outstanding tonight. The girls are really learning to trust each other, especially with runners on base.

“Offensively, we are hitting the ball hard, but at this point, don’t have much to show for it. The girls are doing a nice job of putting the ball in play. We will continue to work hard in practice on ways to increase our scoring opportunities.”

Louisburg (0-4) did have a few scoring opportunities, including one big one in the first inning. Senior Christian Dalrymple singled to open the inning and junior Emalee Overbay followed with a triple, but Dalrymple was ruled out at home.

Freshman Kelsey Higginbotham rears back for a pitch during the nightcap of Tuesday’s doubleheader with Fort Scott.

The Lady Cats had runners in scoring position again in the second inning, but were caught stealing. Senior Miranda White doubled with one out in the third inning, but was left stranded.

White and Overbay each had a pair of hits to lead the Lady Cat offense, while Dalrymple and freshman Kennia Hankinson both had a single to account for the six Louisburg hits.

The offense started to come together for Louisburg in the nightcap but the Lady Cats had to climb out of a five-run hole to start the game. Fort Scott scored a pair of runs in the first and second innings, and another in the third off freshman starter Kelsey Higginbotham to take a 5-0 lead.

Louisburg answered back in the bottom of the third with three runs. The Lady Cats loaded the bases and then Katie Baker scored after Overbay was hit by a pitch. Griggs then walked to score White and Hankinson grounded out to plate Dalrymple.

Fort Scott added another run in the fourth to make it 6-3, but Louisburg answered right back when White singled and later scored on an Overbay double. Fort Scott added a run in the seventh to put the Tigers up three and seal the win.

White led the Louisburg offensive attack with three hits on the night, while Overbay added a pair of RBIs. Freshman Molly Rison had a double, while Dalrymple and Hankinson each finished with a single.

“Fort Scott jumped on us early in the second game,” Ozier said. “We kept our poise and gradually began to chip away at their lead, At this point, we have just not been able to bust through with a big inning. I really feel like we are one big hit away from knocking down that door.”

Louisburg will try for that first win today when it hits the road for the first time. The Lady Cats will travel to Prairie View High School for a doubleheader and first pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Louisburg senior Christina Dalrymple fields a ball in the outfield during the Lady Cats season opener against Paola on Thursday at Lewis-Young Park. The Lady Cats lost both games 9-4 and 7-3.

It may have not walked away with a win, but the Louisburg softball team ended Thursday’s season opener against Paola with some positive signs.

The Lady Cats, which had their problems staying in games a year ago, were within striking distance of traditionally-strong Paola in each game of the doubleheader. Despite having leads into the middle innings, Louisburg fell to Paola 9-4 and 7-3.

Paola used a big inning in each contest to surpass the Lady Cats and get the sweep at Lewis-Young Park.

“I thought the girls put together four solid innings with our defense and pitching in the first game,” Louisburg coach John Ozier said. “We missed some early scoring opportunities that came back to bite us. Paola is a well-coached, opportunistic team that capitalized on a few of our defensive miscues. The storyline repeated itself in the second game as well. Missed opportunities at the plate, and mental mistakes on defense lead to one big inning for Paola.

“Take away those two innings, and the final score in both games would have been much closer. We will get back to work at practice to eliminate the mistakes.”

In the opener, it was Louisburg (0-2) that struck first. The Lady Cats scored a run in the third inning after Hailey Crowder led off with a walk and would come around to score on a pair of singles from Miranda White and Allyssa Griggs to take a 1-0 lead.

Second baseman Paige Shaffer covers first base for an out during the Lady Cats doubleheader with Paola on Thursday at Lewis-Young Park.

The Lady Cats took that lead into the fifth inning, when Paola broke the game open. Paola scored six runs in the fifth thanks to some Louisburg miscues. Louisburg committed five errors that led to many of the runs.

Paola scored three more runs in the sixth, including one on a solo home run to take a 9-1 advantage.

Louisburg didn’t give in, however, as the Lady Cats scored three runs in the seventh. Freshman Karson Griggs led the inning off with a solo home run, while Emalee Overbay added a two-run triple scoring White and Paige Shaffer.

For the game, White led the Lady Cat offense with three singles and reached base all four times. Shaffer and Allyssa Griggs also added a single each.

On the mound, Allyssa Griggs went the distance as she struck out five over seven innings as many of those nine runs were unearned.

“Our goals for opening night were to come out and compete hard and walk away with a sense of pride for all of the work we have put into this season,” Ozier said. “I felt like we accomplished both.”

In the nightcap, Louisburg took the lead in the first inning thanks to a couple key hits. White led off the inning with a single, stole second and then scored on an RBI double by Overbay. Overbay later scored on an error to give the Lady Cats a 2-0 lead.

Freshman Karson Griggs (left) celebrates her home run with sister Allyssa (8) and Hailey Crowder in the first game Thursday.

Paola answered with two runs in the second to tie the game, but Louisburg came right back with a run in the third. Christina Dalrymple and Overbay hit back to back singles and Dalrymple would score on a sacrifice by Allyssa Griggs.

However, the Panthers took control of the game in the fourth inning as they scored four runs to take a 6-3 lead and added another run in the seventh to seal the win.

“I felt like the girls put forth great effort in both games, continuing to battle until the last outs were recorded,” Ozier said. “Allyssa Griggs pitched her heart out in both games. I thought our seniors (White, Shaffer and Dalrymple) all contributed in the field and with their bats.”

The Lady Cats will try for their first win of the season Tuesday when they host Fort Scott at Lewis-Young Park. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4:30 p.m.

Louisburg junior Allyssa Griggs is the Lady Cats’ top returning pitcher from a year ago and will be the team’s No. 1 starter again this year. Griggs and the Lady Cats open their season Thursday at home against Paola.

The Louisburg softball team doesn’t want to spend too much time looking back on last season – in fact it was one the Lady Cats just want to put past them.

Louisburg finished the 2015 season without a win and went through some tough times in the process. Now, the Lady Cats are looking for a fresh start and their new coach hopes to give that to them.

Head coach John Ozier is in his first season with the program and is ready to guide a young group of Lady Cats through a tough Frontier League schedule.

“I have had the opportunity to coach many of these girls in middle school basketball,” Ozier said. “I must admit, this is one of the reasons I decided to apply for the position this year. This is a hard-working, highly-committed group of young ladies that will play hard, and work to improve.

“Our team goals are very simple. Each player needs to constantly ask the question of what they can do to make the team better – always putting the team above self, work hard each day at practice and work to improve weaknesses. Above all else, I want them to walk away from the season having enjoyed their experience.”

The Lady Cats return five players with varsity experience, including several key positions.

Senior Miranda White, who led the team at the plate with a pair of home runs a season ago, will take over her spot in centerfield. White was named to the all-Frontier League second team a season ago and was the lone Louisburg player to earn postseason honors.

Senior Miranda White is one of five returning starters for the Lady Cats this season.

Fellow senior Christina Dalrymple, a returning starter, will play in the infield. Another senior, Paige Shaffer, is in her first year with the program and Ozier expects her to contribute at either the infield or outfield spots.

After starting in the outfield a season ago, junior Hailey Crowder also comes back as one of the five returning starters.

“Obviously, I am looking for leadership from my returning varsity players and upperclassmen both on and off the field,” Ozier said. “If this program is to have any level of success this season, we will need each and every player focused on what they can do to help the team as a whole, and not worry about any individual stats or positions they may be asked to play. I think we have some young talent moving up the ranks that just lack high school experience at this point.”

Junior Allyssa Griggs comes back as the team’s starting pitcher and was the team’s No. 1 starter a year ago. Griggs also pitched some as a freshman.

Griggs also returns her battery mate in catcher Emalee Overbay. The Louisburg junior was the starting catcher a season ago, but had to miss several games last year due to an injury.

“We have some freshmen with potential that appear committed to improving this season, but I look for Allyssa to provide leadership for this group,” Ozier said. “Once we zero in on how to maximize our players’ strengths, I think we should have a solid defense. We will continue to evaluate and work on defensive alignments throughout the season.

“The girls have worked very hard so far in practices with their hitting. We have spent a good portion of time working on the basic foundation of a good swing. As the season progresses, we will work more on quality at-bats in certain situations we will face.”

Although the Lady Cats return five starters from a season ago, they will still be faced with a tough Frontier League schedule and it gets started Thursday when they host rival Paola in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

“Being a first year coach, I really don’t know much about the rest of the league so far,” Ozier said. “I do know that the Frontier League is one of the more talented leagues in the state. So, we realize that we have our work cut out for us.”

2016 LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

Mar. 31                       Paola                                   4:30 p.m.

Apr. 5                           Fort Scott                           4:30 p.m.

Apr. 7                           at Prairie View                   4:30 p.m.

Apr. 12                         at Eudora                           4:30 p.m.

Apr. 19                         Baldwin                               4:30 p.m.

Apr. 21                         Osawatomie                      4:30 p.m.

Apr. 26                         at De Soto                          4:30 p.m.

Apr. 28                         at Chanute                         4:30 p.m.

May 3                          at Ottawa                           4:30 p.m.

May 9                          Spring Hill                           4:30 p.m.

Last October, Paola activities director Jeff Hines went to a Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) regional meeting to get updates on classification issues.

Six months later, Hines found himself in Topeka, in front of the Kansas Senate Education Committee to talk about a bill that could change the way schools are classified.

On Thursday, Hines sat in front of the committee to discuss Senate Bill 464 – a bill that he proposed with guidance of Sen. Caryn Tyson.

Statute 72-130 establishes specific guidelines pertaining to the organizational structure and functions of KSHSAA. Senate Bill 464 would change one part of the statute and strike the line which allows schools to be classified only by student enrollment.

“The total number of students in schools is a great starting point for classifying them,” Hines said.  “It makes sense that the largest schools should play the largest schools and the smallest schools should play the smallest schools, but there are other things that need to be considered.”

For several months, KSHSAA has had a classification committee discuss different ways to have a competitive balance with its member schools. They came up with ideas of reducing the number of classifications or changing the number of schools in a division.

“There were no other factors being considered and that bothered me,” Hines said, “All that would do was reshuffle the schools just a little bit but we would have the same problem.”

The problem for the committee was its hands were tied thanks to the wording in Statute 72-130 that specifically states schools can only be classified by enrollment numbers and nothing else.

So Hines went to work and helped create Senate Bill 464, which does not give a specific solution to the problem, but rather would take wording out of the statute to allow KSHSAA to figure out how to classify schools on its own.

Hines gave a 15 minute testimony in front of the committee and then answered questions from the committee members for more than 30 minutes afterward. Before the hearing, Hines received support from every member in the Frontier League, Pioneer League and all but two schools in the Kaw Valley League, as those two didn’t respond before the hearing.

Following Hines’ testimony, Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, had concerns as to why KSHSAA did not come in front of the committee itself to ask for changes.

Hines informed the committee that it would be redundant for KSHSAA to endorse the plan, because if approved, member schools would still have to vote on it. He believes Bill 464 would let KSHSAA come up with a system and let schools improve it, instead of the legislature.

“KSHSAA wants to be neutral because this proposal would affect different schools in different ways,” Hines said. “It could be very beneficial to some schools and others may not like it because they might have to move up a class. So, why should KSHSAA have to pick sides in it and pit member against member? It doesn’t have to be that way in my opinion.

“Yes, a school that has to move up a classification might not like it, but is it the best thing overall for the association? They can’t look themselves in the mirror and say ‘No, this isn’t the right thing to do?’

A major problem for some member schools in KSHSAA is they do not believe it is competitively equal the way it is currently structured.

“I am not a believer in participation medals,” Hines said. “If they are kindergartners, sure, but when you start playing, part of being successful later in life is learning how to compete. We all competed for a job when you have gone in for an interview and that is good. You need to have that skillset and I am not saying that we need to give more trophies out and give everyone a shot, but I just want a system in place that is equitable for all so that some don’t have an unfair advantage at the expense of the rest and I think that is what is happening.”

One of the problems is the lack of balance between championships won between public and private high schools. Hines did research and presented numbers at the hearing at the number of state championships won between private and public schools from 2004 to 2014.

Here is what he found.

• Private schools make up slightly less than 8 percent of the KSHSAA membership.
• Private schools have won slightly less than 32 percent of the state championships.
• Based on membership percentage, private schools should only win approximately 8 percent of the titles, not nearly 32 percent.
• Private schools are winning four times more state titles than should be expected based on their memberships.
• Private schools are nine times more likely to win five or more state titles than their public school peers.

“In that period of time, I looked for who has won five or more state titles,” Hines said. “That is a difficult feat. You look at Paola’s history and we have won like seven and Louisburg has won three in 100-plus years. During those 10 years, 37 percent of those private schools won five or more during that time and public schools had 4 percent win five or more. Private schools are nine times more likely to become a dynasty or a successful program with strong tradition. You tell me how we are all the same?”

Another problem they are facing is schools with a high percentage of low socioeconomic status (SCS) students, cannot compete against fellow schools in their own classification in many activities, including football.

“There is a whole bunch of schools in the Kansas City, Kansas school district that are 6A or 5A that have no business competing against those really hard schools,” Hines said. “They don’t have resources, they don’t have the students, there is no interest and they have all those things working against them and I feel bad for those kids. Who wants to trot out against some of those bigger schools and know you are going to get your ears boxed in? That is not fun. Moreover, it is not challenging for the kids those schools are playing against.”

Hines believes competition is important when it comes to the growth of the student athlete and it is beneficial for the school and its community.

“Not only what it does for grades, but for what it does for the human spirit,” Hines said.
“When I was the FFA advisor in Paola, we won 10 state championships in nine years and you could tell the interest by the students and the community went through the roof. You can say the same thing about Louisburg and what Jim Morgan does with his FFA kids. People flock to success.

“Naturally, when they are there they feel better about themselves, they want to work harder in the classroom to stay eligible and kids that want to stay involved are going to be more successful in life. It is all about having the chance to be successful.”

During Hines’ testimony in front of the Senate Education Committee, not all of the legislatures seemed open to the idea. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, asked Hines if he would be willing to relinquish state funding if the legislature agrees to release oversight of how KSHSAA classifies schools.

“If we relinquished the funding behind it, (high school activities) would disappear,” Hines said at the hearing.

No action was taken following the hearing, but the committee chairman spent 15 minutes with him and Tyson to help them strategize on what to do next.

One option is to amend the bill to include more specifics that could include a multiplier or a separate division for private schools and a low SCS school de-multiplier.

Another option, Hines said, would be to have the classification committee draft a letter to the Senate Education Committee that states they would like to study these other factors as part of a proposal for revamping the classification system, but not until they feel the legislature is open to changing the law.

Whatever decision comes next, however, Hines wants it to be decided by multiple people within KSHSAA on how to proceed.

“I don’t feel comfortable making that change because I feel a committee needs to do the work,” Hines said. “I shouldn’t be doing it, nor should 11 legislators, you need more. We should let the classification committee work on it and hopefully we can get some things accomplished.

“The only way to allow this to happen is to remove the barrier in place that exists due to the state statute.”

Louisburg High School senior Miranda White signed her letter of intent on Wednesday to play softball at the University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sitting next to Miranda are her parents Jason and Kim White. Standing (from left) is former Louisburg softball coach Kristi Weers, Miranda’s sister Jaleigh White, Phenix coach Mike Reese and brother Macyn White.

As Miranda White dashed after a fly ball in the outfield, the Louisburg High School senior made a running catch at the fence and then caught a runner going home for a double play during a club game in the fall with her Lawrence Phenix club team.

It was one of those highlight reel type of plays. As it turned out, she couldn’t have picked a better time to do it.

Just one field over, University of Sioux Falls softball coach Kelsey Thompson was watching a different game. Thompson didn’t even know who White was at time. She turned her head in time to catch White’s defensive gem.

Needless to say, Thompson knew a lot about White after that.

Thompson invited White up for a visit to the Sioux Falls, S.D., campus, and shortly after, she made her decision. It became official Wednesday as she signed her letter of intent to play for Cougars, an NCAA Division II program.

“It is really exciting because I finally reached my goals that I set a long time ago,” White said. “I think it was fate. We got there and their campus was amazing. All their stuff is indoors and they are going to dome their softball field. The coaches were super down to earth and right then I knew that it was for me.”

Thompson liked what she saw out of White in that fall club game, and liked her even more when she learned more about her game.

“Miranda is an incredible example of perfect timing and how you sometimes need a little luck in softball,” Thompson said. “We saw Miranda playing this past fall playing opposite one of our signees and her talent simple could not go unnoticed. Miranda possesses much needed speed and power as we move forward next season and she will only continue to develop as she plays for an amazing organization and coaching staff in the Lawrence area.

“She plays with a very gritty passion and leads her team to do the same every time she steps on the field. With an incredible arm and incredible range in the outfield, Miranda has an opportunity to push our teammates to another level the minute she gets to campus. We greatly look forward to the offensive and defensive power and style of play Miranda brings to the Cougar softball program and cannot wait to begin working with her on a daily basis next fall.”

White led the Louisburg softball team last season in several different categories, which included a .703 batting average to go along with 17 stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage from her centerfield spot. She also finished with 22 hits, four doubles, two home runs and five RBIs.

She also had a .586 average with her Phenix team and has been a part of multiple state titles.

White will join a Sioux Falls program that went 32-23 a season ago in the Cougars’ second year under Thompson.

“The coaches were down to earth and you could tell they just weren’t going to say the things you wanted them to,” White said. “Everyone was super friendly and I felt at home and I know they are going to take care of me.”

With the weight of signing off of her shoulders, White can now focus on the task at hand – which is a big one. She wants to make an impact on the Cougars right away and is ready to put in the work.

“They told me you earn your spot, and my goal is to start as a freshman and I am definitely going to work hard to make that happen,” White said. “I don’t want to sit on the bench.”

Miranda is the daughter of Jason and Kim White. She is planning on majoring in life science.

John Ozier (above) was recently hired as the new Louisburg High School softball coach and will try to get the Lady Cat program back on the right track after going winless a season ago.

The last two seasons the Louisburg High School softball program has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

Two years ago, the Lady Cats had the best season in the program’s history with their fourth-place finish at the state tournament. Last season was among the roughest as they finished without a win.

After the resignation of head coach Kristi Weers, the Lady Cats were left looking for a new coach to try and rebuild the program. They found one in John Ozier.

Ozier, who serves as a school psychologist for the Louisburg school district, was recently approved by the USD 416 board of education to serve as the team’s new head coach. He will be joined by Brian Keegan, who will serve as an assistant coach.

Ozier, who has served as a middle school basketball coach for several years, also coached softball on the club circuit in the summer and is ready to take on the Lady Cat program.

“I am truly excited for the opportunity to take over the LHS softball program,” Ozier said. “Last summer was the first in 14 years that I did not coach softball in some capacity, and I found out just how much I missed it. I had spent the previous nine years helping coach my youngest daughter’s club team. Upon her graduation, I decided to hang it up.

“When the high school position became available, I found myself thinking about the opportunity to not only get back into the game that I had enjoyed coaching so much, but it also gave me the opportunity to work with many of the girls I had coached in middle school basketball.”

It will be a big job for Ozier as he takes on a program that did not win a game on the varsity or junior varsity level a season ago. He is ready for the challenge and hopes to bring back a program that once reached the highest level not so long ago.

“Going into the season, I anticipate some residual effects of coming off a winless season,” Ozier said. “I’m sure some of the players will be skeptical about turning the program around in such a short amount of time. With that said, job one is change the culture. My goal for the players is to have them look more at our short range goals of improving their individual/team play through off season conditioning, and then through our daily practices once the season begins.

“If those short range goals are accomplished, the mindset should start to change directions. I will be looking for the upper classmen to provide leadership through their effort, attitude and play on the field.”

The Lady Cats did have a young group a year ago that didn’t have a senior on their roster. If the underclassmen from last season’s squad decide to return, it could have a feel of a veteran team.

Talent aside, Ozier is looking forward to getting to know his team and creating a positive environment in the program.

“Another big challenge that every coach faces each year is building chemistry among the players,” he said. “You can have all of the talent in the world, but until the players learn to respect and trust each other, it’s to no advantage.

“I look forward to the challenge of working with this group of girls. My goal for them is to walk away from the season having enjoyed their experience. In the process, I am hoping their commitment and example will encourage younger players to look forward to playing at some point in the future.”

Louisburg High School junior Miranda White was recently named to the all-Frontier League softball team. White earned second-team honors and was the lone Lady Cat to be selected.

It was a rough year for the Louisburg High School softball team as it ended its season with a 0-21 record.

There weren’t many positives for the Lady Cats to build on, but Miranda White was one of them. All-Frontier League honors were released last week and White’s name was on the list.

White, the team’s starting centerfielder, had a good season for the Lady Cats and earned second team honors as she was one of the team’s top hitters and was their best defensive player.

“I’m honored, especially to stand out with an 0-21 record,” White said. “But it makes me feel good knowing that I represented LHS. I feel that I gave it a full 110 percent and that I did my job.”

This is the second consecutive season White made the list of all-league players and was one of four returning players that made the state tournament in 2014.

White was perfect in centerfield with a 1.000 fielding percentage to go along with seven assists. At the plate, White had a .519 average, a .481 on-base percentage and a .703 slugging percentage.

She finished with 22 hits, four doubles, two home runs and five RBIs to go along with 17 stolen bases. Despite the good numbers, White learned a lot from the difficult season.

“More importantly I gained self-esteem and my leadership skills grew,” White said. “I enjoyed showing the other girls technique when they asked for help. It was hard not getting down but I did my job on the field and did all that I could do for the team.”

Spring Hill led the league with seven selections, including four on the first team. Paola was next with six spots on the all-league squad.

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE SOFTBALL

FIRST TEAM

Outfield: Sarah Salvini, De Soto, senior; Sierra Hall, Baldwin, senior; Morgan Laudan, Paola, junior

Infield: Dani Townley, Spring Hill, junior; Allison Daggett, Paola, sophomore; Shea Mesik, Ottawa, junior; Chasity Ward, Spring Hill, senior

Catcher: Sierra Sanderson, Spring Hill, sophomore

Pitcher: Sarah Brown, Spring Hill, sophomore; Tatum Knight, Ottawa, senior

Utility/DH: Jordan Johnson, Paola, freshman

SECOND TEAM

Outfield: Jenna Nevius, Spring Hill, senior; Bayleigh Nelson, Ottawa, junior; Miranda White, Louisburg, junior

Infield: Lyndsee Johnson, Paola, senior; Matti Morgan, Paola, sophomore; Morgan Stonestreet, De Soto, senior; Madeline Neufeld, Baldwin, junior

Catcher: Amy Wilson, Ottawa, senior

Pitcher: Mary Kate Hale, Spring Hill, sophomore; Kassadie Burton, Baldwin, senior

Utility/DH: Jordan Flakus, Eudora, sophomore

HONORABLE MENTION

Outfield: Elizabeth Hays, Spring Hill, freshman

Infield: Brooklyn Beerbower, Eudora, sophomore; Kamryn Shaffer, Ottawa, freshman

Catcher: Courtney Earring, Paola, sophomore; Madison McGinness, Eudora, senior

Utility/DH: Kylee Cronin, De Soto, senior

Cierra Rose makes contact with a pitch during Tuesday’s home doubleheader with De Soto at Lewis-Young Park. The Lady Cats are still looking for their first win after falling to Osawatomie and De Soto.

It has been a rough go of it for the Louisburg softball team so far this season.

Inexperience and youth have played big roles in the Lady Cats still looking for their first win of the season. On April 23, Louisburg came close to getting it against Osawatomie, but fell in a doubleheader 11-6 and 17-7.

Louisburg played well early in the opener against the Trojans as it jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Miranda White, Isabelle Hutson and Allyssa Griggs all scored, but the Trojans would answer back with five runs in the first and two more in the second.

Hutson, who had a 3-for-3 performance, singled and scored in the third inning to make it 7-4. However, Osawatomie scored three more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to help put the game away.

The Lady Cats did add runs in the sixth as Hailey Crowder scored on a White RBI single. White then came around on an RBI from Griggs.

In the nightcap, Osawatomie got on top early and never looked back. The Trojans scored nine runs in the first inning to take an early lead.

Taylor San Agustin drove home Kallee Bartlett in the second inning and White doubled home Crowder to get the Lady Cats on the board. Osawatomie made it a 10-2 game with another run in the second.

Louisburg did manage to rally with four runs in the fourth inning. White started it off with an RBI single to score Crowder. She then stole second and scored on an RBI single from Hutson.

Griggs and Christina Dalrymple followed it up with RBI singles of their own to cut the Trojan lead to 10-7.

However, the Trojans got those runs right back with four in the fourth and three more in the fifth to seal the win.

White led the Lady Cats in the doubleheader with five hits, including two doubles and was also walked twice. Hutson also had four hits and walked twice.

De Soto sweeps Louisburg

Louisburg returned home to Lewis-Young Park on Tuesday and De Soto gave them a rude welcome.

De Soto downed the Lady Cats 16-0 in the opener before taking the nightcap 20-4. In the second game, the Lady Cats got RBIs from Cierra Rose and a two-run single from Bartlett to account for the Louisburg runs.

Rose and White each had a pair of hits to lead the Louisburg offense in the second game. White and Griggs each recorded a double in the opener.

Louisburg shortstop Christina Dalrymple hauls in a catch from the outfield to double-up a Eudora runner Thursday at Lewis-Young Park. The Lady Cats fell to the Cardinals 12-5 and 22-2.

The Louisburg softball team had its first win of the season in its sights.

The Lady Cats rallied from a four-run deficit to tie the game in the fourth inning of the opener Thursday against Eudora and the momentum shifted over to the Louisburg side. Unfortunately that momentum didn’t last long.

Eudora responded with six runs in the fifth inning and went on to win 12-5 at Lewis-Young Park. It was tough for the Lady Cats to bounce back as they fell 22-2 in the nightcap.

Junior Miranda White had a strong day at the plate as she finished a triple shy of the cycle and also finished with 2 RBIs. Sophomore Emalee Overbay added a pair of singles and an RBI.

Despite taking the loss, sophomore Allyssa Griggs finished the game with nine strikeouts and she also helped her cause with a double and 2 RBIs.

Eudora scored two runs to open the game but the Wildcats got one run back in the bottom of the first as White doubled and then scored on a single from Overbay. The Cardinals responded with three runs in the second to take a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Louisburg cut into its deficit some more as White led the inning off with a solo home run. Then after singles from Overbay and Blair Vohs, Griggs doubled both home to make it 5-4.

White tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when she singled home Sophie Purdon. Mistakes hurt the Lady Cats in the next inning and led to six Eudora runs.

Eudora scored early and often in the nightcap as a 13-run second inning all but sealed the win for the Cardinals. The Lady Cats prevented the shutout in the third inning with a pair of runs.

Isabelle Hutson and Christina Dalrymple each recorded RBI singles and Hutson led the Lady Cats with two hits.

Louisburg will try for its first win today when it travels to Baldwin for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Louisburg sophomore Emalee Overbay makes contact with a pitch during Thursday’s home opener against Prairie View. The Lady Cats fell to the Buffalos 8-2 and 17-0 at Lewis-Young Park.

The Louisburg softball team hit another rough patch Thursday when it hosted Prairie View for its home opener at Lewis-Young Park.

Although the Lady Cats scored their first runs of the year, it wasn’t enough to get past the Buffalos as they fell 8-2 and 17-0. Louisburg did see some positives, especially in the first game.

Louisburg (0-6) found itself down 7-0 in the fifth inning, but with one swing of the bat, junior Miranda White put the Lady Cats on the board for the first time. White hit a solo home run and also had a double to lead Louisburg with two hits.

The Lady Cats added a run in the seventh when Christina Dalrymple scored on an RBI from Hailey Crowder. Allyssa Griggs and Isabelle Hutson also had hits for Louisburg.

Griggs started the game for Louisburg and gave up the eight runs, however only one of them was earned as the Lady Cats committed eight errors behind her. She also struck out five batters.

It didn’t get much better in the nightcap as Prairie View struck early and Louisburg wasn’t able to climb back in. The Buffalos scored seven runs in the first and 10 in the second to pull away.

Emalee Overbay, Dalrymple and Crowder all had hits for Louisburg in the three-inning game.

Louisburg will try for its first win tonight when it hosts Eudora for a doubleheader at Lewis-Young Park. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.