After losing a pair of games to one of the top teams in the Frontier League in Spring Hill earlier in the week, the Louisburg softball team needed to get back on the winning side of things.

The Wildcats did that in a big way Thursday during a home doubleheader against Wellsville. Louisburg got out to big leads in both games and were able to hold on for 4-3 and 7-6 victories over the Eagles.

“It’s always great to win two games and sweep a team,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “We needed that after playing Frontenac, Ottawa and Spring Hill to start our season. I’m proud of how hard our girls fought to win those two games. It came down to us playing great defense in top of the 7th, in both games, to win those. 

“Wellsville is young but they have some girls that are going to do some good things as they get older. The top of their lineup can swing it pretty well. They had more hits than us in the second game and we had really had to dig deep to go get those wins. I’m so proud of our girls for how they battled, came together, and pulled it off.”

Louisburg pitcher Izzy Moreland gave the Wildcats some good innings on the mound in the both games — one as a starter and one in relief. 

Moreland started the opener and got the complete game victory as she allowed three earned runs on five hits and struck out five. 

Then, after senior Megan Quinn gave the Wildcats a four-inning, seven strikeout performance in the second game, Moreland came on in relief and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to preserve the win.

Ahead by just a run, and runners on second and third with no outs, Moreland struck out the next three batters to help the Wildcats secure the sweep.

“Izzy was huge for us on the mound,” Chapman said. “She threw the whole first game with 99 pitches, and the second game our whole pitching staff worked as a team and got the job done. Megan started for us and did a fantastic job as always. They figured her out about the fifth inning, then Raeya (Keagle) came in and threw really well. She does a great job of getting weak contact for our defense to make plays. She did her job and then Izzy came in and finished it up on the mound.” 

In the opener, Louisburg jumped out to a a 4-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning thanks to an RBI double from junior Addy Stohs in the second. Quinn then followed it up with another RBI double in the third.

It would be all the runs the Wildcats would need as they held off a late Eagle rally that saw them cut it to one with two runs in the sixth inning.

Stohs led the Wildcat bats with two hits and an RBI, while Quinn and Moreland also had RBI hits.

It was much of the same in the nightcap as Louisburg jumped on Wellsville early and took a 7-1 lead into the top of the third.

Quinn had an another big day at the plate with two hits, a double and 4 RBIs. Senior Rylee Hickey also had two hits and an RBI, while senior Jenna Cauthon had a double and scored twice.

Sophomore Shyloh Waite also contributed a triple in the win and drove home a run. 

“Megan is just swinging it really well right now,” Chapman said. “I know that when she’s up to bat, she’s going to hit it hard somewhere. If she has a bad at bat, she’s going to make an adjustment and fix it for her next at bat. She was a giant part of why we got out to a 7-1 lead to start the second game with 4 RBIs. 

“Jenna and Addy are in the same boat. They are finding ways to make solid contact and do some damage at the plate. We have had some really great offensive innings this year. Now we just need to be more consistent about it.”

Louisburg (3-4) will try and continue its winning ways Tuesday as the Wildcats travel to Bonner Springs for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Wildcats drop pair to Spring Hill

Louisburg hosted Spring Hill for a doubleheader on April 2 and the Broncos showed why they are one of the top teams in the Frontier League.

Spring Hill swept the Wildcats in a pair of 13-2 and 16-5 victories. 

Louisburg took a 2-1 after one inning in the first game, but the Broncos scored six times in the second and third innings to put the game out of reach.

Spring Hill’s Jaleigh White got the complete victory in the opener and had three home runs between the two games, including a grand slam.

Shyloh Waite and Ashley Moreau each had two RBIs to lead the Wildcat offense the second game. Jenna Cauthon and Izzy Moreland each had two hits.

OTTAWA — Coming off a close loss to Ottawa in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader, Louisburg needed a spark.

The Wildcats got one in Megan Quinn.

Quinn pitched a complete-game no-hitter as the Wildcats cruised to a 10-0 win over the Cyclones in the nightcap at Orlis Cox Sports Complex in Ottawa. The Wildcats took out their frustration after an 11-10 loss in the opener.

It was also the first win of the season for Louisburg and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Although Quinn worked around a couple of errors and a pair walks, the Louisburg senior also got some big plays from her defense to go along with her four strikeouts. Senior Jenna Cauthon ran down a ball in foul territory and junior Katie McKain made a diving catch in the outfield to help the cause.

“Megan came in and threw lights out,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “Her and Rylee (Hickey) worked their hitters and found ways to get them to roll over and pop up. Our defense play fantastic behind her. All over the field, we made the fundamental plays but we also made some big time special plays. Jenna had a catch in foul territory where she had to haul to go get. Katie had a sweet diving play in the outfield that came at a crucial moment in the game where we stalled at the plate for an inning and needed a big defensive stop. 

“Right after that is when we had our big inning at the plate. It set the precedent for how our defense should play this season. We made a couple mistakes and that’s going to happen but we never let that get us down. The whole team was in it for each other to go get this one.”

Louisburg got out to a 3-0 lead after three innings, but the Wildcats broke the game open with a 5-run sixth inning. 

Senior Ashley Moreau had a two-run single to score Brinley Bauer and Shyloh Waite. Quinn then helped out her own cause with a 2-run double and later scored on a sacrifice by Addy Stohs.

The Wildcats added two more runs in seventh as Moreau recorded an RBI double and Rylee Hickey had an RBI single to secure the win.

Moreau, Quinn and Cauthon each finished with two hits and Moreau had a team-high 3 RBIs. Quinn and senior Izzy Moreland each finished with 2 RBIs.

Offense wasn’t a problem for Louisburg in the first game, either. The Wildcats pounded out 10 runs on 15 hits in the 1-run loss.

Quinn finished with a pair of doubles to go along with 2 RBIs, while Cauthon drove home a team-high three runs. Hickey led the Wildcats with three hits and an RBI.

Moreau, Cauthon, Moreland and Waite all had two hits as well, while McKain had a double. Stohs added an RBI single to the cause.

“We had a pretty solid night at the plate overall,” Chapman said. “All 10 girls found a way on base. We had to make some adjustments to the first pitcher who slowed it down on us, compared to what we saw on Monday against Frontenac. I’m proud of how we are hitting once we figure out the pitcher. Our biggest improvement is figuring her out sooner and not letting up once we do have her figured out. We can be a very dangerous offense as we keep getting better.”

Louisburg was cruising along early as it took a 4-1 lead into the fourth inning, but the Wildcats had six errors as Ottawa scored 10 runs in the next three innings.

The Wildcats made it interesting with three runs in the top of the seventh thanks to RBI singles from Moreau and Cauthon, but could get no closer.

“We just had one inning where we had a let down and that carried into the rest of the game and we came up short,” Chapman said. “However, I’m so proud of the girls with how they responded to that. They came out and played some great softball in the second game. This is the first time we have beaten Ottawa since the year we went to state five years ago when I was an assistant. 

“Especially after almost upsetting them last year in the regional game, it feels good and the girls were excited to get that. This was the game we talked about most of the week. Now we have some momentum going into this next week where we play three games, including Spring Hill who always has a good program.”

Louisburg will try for back-to-back wins tonight as the Wildcats host Baldwin in a one-game makeup contest. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Lewis-Young Park.

Wildcats fall in opener to Frontenac

It was challenging season opener for Louisburg as it hosted Frontenac last Monday as the Raiders have been in the Class 3A state champions twice in the last five years.

Errors hurt Louisburg as Frontenac scored 10 runs in the final three innings to take an 11-0 win over the Wildcats in the first game of the doubleheader.

Louisburg had a lead in the second game, but rain suspended play as the two teams hope to complete it later this season.

Senior Izzy Moreland started the first game for Louisburg and kept the Raider batters off balance through three innings, but Frontenac recorded four runs in the fourth to pull away. Moreland finished the game with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings and gave up just four earned runs.

“This was a good team and we held them to 1 run for about 3 or 4 innings in the first game,” Chapman said. “We were making plays behind Izzy. They have a stud pitcher who is probably going to be the best pitcher we see this season. She was fast and had some good spin on her. We had a tough time against her. I thought we played well minus our last inning where we fell a part with errors.”

In their final game of 2023, Louisburg nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the regional semifinals.

As a No. 13 seed, the Wildcats almost knocked off No. 4 Ottawa as they played some of their best softball. With nearly everyone returning from that team, Louisburg is hoping to use that momentum and build confidence for 2024.

Louisburg returns five seniors and all have seen varsity time since their freshmen years. It is an experienced team and one that is ready to make some noise in the Frontier League.

“This has been the best start to our season that we have had yet,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “We changed some things about our practices. The girls have bought into it and are working hard to make this a great season. Even better is that the energy and positive attitudes have been great. 

“Our seniors have been great leaders to our younger girls. The vibe at practice has been fantastic. The girls are locked in right now and excited for this season to start, especially our seniors. They have the right mindset going into this season. I trust them and I know they are going to sell out to have one great last season.”

Three of those five seniors are returning all-league players for the Wildcats, including a pair of pitchers.

Seniors Izzy Moreland and Megan Quinn will lead the Wildcat pitching staff once again this season and bring experience with them after throwing varsity innings since they were freshmen. 

Sophomore Raeya Keagle will also throw on the varsity level this season, but Chapman is excited to see what Moreland and Quinn can do for the rotation.

“Pitching is going to be where it all starts for us and we have two girls that have pitched for the last three years,” Chapman said. “Izzy and Megan are going to be great this year. They know their strengths and their weaknesses. Izzy and Brynley (Bauer) work really well together and so does Megan and Rylee (Hickey) and I’m excited for what they are going to accomplish. Megan and Izzy are not overpowering pitchers but they are really smart pitchers and I absolutely love that. I honestly think that’s better because it keeps batters thinking. 

“In the mix this year we will also add in Raeya. She will throw some innings of relief for those two. She pitched really well in the Jamboree and got a lot of batters to give our defense the weak ground balls and fly balls we needed to make plays. I’m really excited for what she is going to add to our pitching staff.”

The Wildcats will also return a bulk of their offense this season and it starts at the top of the lineup with Ashley Moreau. The Louisburg senior earned second team all-league honors a year ago thank to a .521 average and had 37 hits.

Moreland and Quinn also had big seasons at the plate for Louisburg. Moreland finished last season with a .493 average and 17 RBIs, while Quinn led the team with five home runs and had a .393 average.

“On offense, our goal is to build on what we did against Ottawa in our regional last year,” Chapman said. “We have been working on a lot of things that will help move and score baserunners that will keep the defense on their toes. We have a lot of girls that can lay a bunt down but also hit gap to gap. I think we can have a really dangerous offense if we execute.”

Defensively is where Chapman hopes his team can take the biggest step as the Wildcats gave up several unearned runs last season. He sees an improved group around the diamond.

Junior Addy Stohs and Keagle will split time at first base, while senior Jenna Cauthon will play second with Moreau at shortstop. Quinn and Moreland will share the third base spot.

Senior Rylee Hickey, sophomore Shyloh Waite, along with juniors Brynley Bauer and Katie McKain will shore up the outfield. Hickey and Bauer will also split time behind the plate at catcher.

“Our biggest thing this season so far has been working to clean up our defense and making fundamental, smart plays,” Chapman said. “It’s going to take everyone to accomplish this.”

The Wildcats will also see a little change to their schedule this season. In the offseason, the Kansas State High School Activities Association approved the increase in the number of games a team can play.

Teams across the state can now play a maximum of 26 games, up from the previous mark of 20. 

“We have a packed schedule, but I honestly like that because we are playing more and practicing less,” Chapman said. “We need to play. That’s how we learn best is by playing and then making adjustments. We also get to see different teams that we could potentially see in postseason vs. league schools all the time. It’s going to be really good for us.”

As for what he hopes his team can accomplish, Chapman is hoping the Wildcats can take that next improve on improve off their 7-win season in 2023.

“I would love for our team to go above .500,” Chapman said. “It’s been a very long time since this program has gone .500 or better. I think if we can do that, we will put ourselves in a great position to get into a regional that we can compete in and then go win and get a shot at state. 

“I want these seniors to go out with a bang. They have bought into this and have given me everything they have. I want them to enjoy their last season and for these younger girls to have success that they can carry into future seasons.”

Louisburg will open its season today as the Wildcats host Frontenac for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. at Lewis-Young Park.

The Louisburg softball team earned three players on the All-Frontier League team. Juniors Ashley Moreau was a second team selection, while Izzy Moreland and Megan Quinn were named honorable mention.

All-Frontier League softball teams were released last week and three players from Louisburg caught the eye of the area coaches.

Juniors Ashley Moreau, Izzy Moreland and Megan Quinn were selected to the all-league team as they led the Lady Cats to seven wins on the season.

Moreau was named to the second team, while Moreland and Quinn were voted in as honorable mentions.

“I thought we had a good showing for our league,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “It’s a tough league with a lot of great softball players.”

Moreau had a big season with the bat and in the field at shortstop for the Lady Cats. At the plate, she led the team with a .521 average and an OPS of 1.195. She also had 37 hits, 22 runs scored, six extra base hits and 12 RBIs from the leadoff spot.

She also finished with nine stolen bases to go along with solid defense at shortstop.

“Ashley had a fantastic season at that plate,” Chapman said. “I’m pretty sure she lead the league in batting average. She was a giant threat at the plate. She has developed so much as a triple threat hitter. She can lay a bunt down and beat it out, she can slap to gap, or she can stay in and make great contact on the ball and do damage that way. 

“On top of that she is a dangerous base runner. She’s fast and very smart on the bases. She made strides as a shortstop this season, always working to get better. I’m proud of the season she had.”

Moreland earned all-league honorable mention honors for the second consecutive season as an infielder. She was second on the team with a .450 average and an OPS of 1.043.

She added 27 hits, three doubles, a home run and had 17 RBIs. She also scored 16 runs and struck out just six times on the season. As a third baseman and pitcher, Moreland had just four errors on the season.

As for Quinn, she earned her first all-league selection after a strong performance at the plate. She had a .393 average to go along with a 1.171 OPS.

Quinn had 24 hits on the year to go along with six doubles and a team-high five home runs. She also finished with 17 RBIs and struck out just five times.

She committed just five errors in 21 games with her work mainly at first base and pitcher.

“Megan and Izzy had great seasons as well,” Chapman said. “Both are able to hit the ball all over the field and racked up a lot of RBIs between the two of them. Both made very little errors in the field and were solid infielders. I’m proud of the growth they made this season.”

ALL-FRONTIER LEAGUE SOFTBALL

FIRST TEAM

CATCHER: Ellie Seaton, senior, Ottawa

PITCHER: Sam Claire, sophomore, Eudora; Brielle Dee, senior, Spring Hill

INFIELD: Karly Toot, senior, Baldwin; Mariah Herrera, junior, Tonganoxie; Mya January, junior, Spring Hill; Chevy Seaton, junior, Ottawa

OUTFIELD: Allee Darnell, junior, Baldwin; Lexi Born, sophomore, Eudora; Abby Clarkson, junior, Tonganoxie

DH/UTILITY: Wren VanCleave, senior, Bonner Springs

SECOND TEAM

CATCHER: Teelie Super, senior, Bonner Springs

PITCHER: Addison Hassett, junior, Bonner Springs; Addison White, sophomore, Ottawa

INFIELD: Jaiden Burris, sophomore, Eudora; Ashley Moreau, junior, Louisburg; Kenzie Yoder, junior, Eudora; Brooklyn Hadl, senior Ottawa

OUTFIELD: Marissa January, junior, Spring Hill; Blaire Sommer, junior, Spring Hill; Kennison Walters, senior, Ottawa

DH/UTILITY: Emma Reeves, sophomore, Spring Hill

HONORABLE MENTION

CATCHER: Ava Kehl, senior, Paola; Delaney Hill, senior, Spring Hill; Santiana Garcia, junior, Tonganoxie

PITCHER: Sage Isaacs, junior, Tonganoxie; Rylee Griffin, junior, Eudora; Jacie Collier, senior, Paola

INFIELD: Emma Lara, sophomore, Bonner Springs; Mattie Newson, senior, Bonner Springs; Megan Quinn, junior, Louisburg; Izzy Moreland, junior, Louisburg; Kamden Evans, junior, Ottawa; Elli Smail, freshman, Paola; Nora Burrell, sophomore, Spring Hill; Farrah Halsa, freshman, Tonganoxie; Savannah Booker, senior, Tonganoxie; Olivia Freely, freshman, Spring Hill

OUTFIELD: Autumn Ashford, junior, Bonner Springs; Krislyn Hadlock, sophomore, Paola; Kylie Vandervoort, senior, Tonganoxie

DH/UTILITY: Katie Courter, sophomore, Eudora; Jordyn Vorbeck, junior, Tonganoxie

Louisburg junior Megan Quinn led the Lady Cats with 3 RBIs in their 7-6 loss Tuesday to Ottawa in the Class 4A regional semifinals.

OTTAWA — Halfway through its regional semifinal game with Ottawa, the Louisburg softball team was right where it wanted to be.

The Lady Cats, the No. 13 seed, had a five run lead on No. 4 Ottawa and they were primed for an upset. However, Louisburg couldn’t quite pull off the victory.

Ottawa scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get the 7-6 walkoff win over Louisburg at Orlis Cox Sports Complex in Ottawa.

“We started the game the way we needed to in order to give ourselves a chance to win,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “Ottawa is always a solid, fundamental team. Throughout the whole lineup, we executed so many things really well. Girls were not only laying bunts down when they were called, but placed them perfectly in order for the defense to have to make a play. 

“Our base-running caused chaos for them. We had girls hit the ball hard. Our pitching was on point and our defense was perfect for about five or six innings. We played really solid softball for most of the game. We made a couple errors at the wrong time.”

The Lady Cats jumped out to a big lead as they scored a pair of runs in the first inning. Junior Ashley Moreau scored on a steal of home to start the game and then Megan Quinn singled home Jenna Cauthon to make it a 2-0 contest.

Louisburg added two more runs in the third to make it a 4-0 game when Moreau scored on an Ottawa error, then Cauthon scored on a sacrifice by Quinn.

Olivia Fercho crossed home plate in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Rylee Hickey to give the Lady Cats a 5-0 lead in the top of the fourth.

Ottawa started to chip away at the lead with two runs in the fourth, two in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game.

Louisburg took the lead right back in the top of the seventh. The Lady Cats had the bases loaded, and Quinn hit a sacrifice fly to score Moreau and the Lady Cats found themselves three outs away from a regional championship appearance.

“Right before we went to hit in the top of seventh, you could tell the girls were ready for the challenge,” Chapman said. “We got bases loaded quickly and were able to scratch one run with sac fly, but just couldn’t finish getting the others home. Ottawa threw a girl who slowed it down on us, and that has kind of been our weak spot — being able to adjust, sit back and wait on it to barrel up a ball.”

Ottawa led off the seventh with a triple by Brooklyn Hadl and scored on a single from the next batter. With one out, and runners on first and second, Ottawa hit a hard ground ball and the runner from third was able to score to seal the win for the Cyclones.

Moreau finished with three hits to lead the Lady Cat bats and also scored three times. Quinn had a team-high 3 RBIs, while junior Izzy Moreland had a pair of hits, including a double.

Moreland started the game for Louisburg and allowed three earned runs in five innings and struck out two.

The Lady Cats ended their season with a 7-14 record, but it was one that saw several positives despite their ups and downs.

“The girls wanted this one and you could see it on their face afterwards,” Chapman said. “I think as a softball culture, with club ball and all that, the emotions of losing a ball game are rarely there because there’s always ‘another game.’ For us, it hurt. That one was tough because you could tell how badly the girls wanted that game, especially with how we started. 

“As tough as this one was to swallow, this loss gave our program hope because of how we played. We showed what we are capable of doing. We have a lot of potential and when we play up to it, these girls are capable of great things on the diamond. I’m excited for what is in store for Louisburg softball.”

Members of the Louisburg softball team surround junior Izzy Moreland at home plate after she hit a 2-run walk-off home run last Tuesday against Paola. Moreland also pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts.

Through seven innings, Louisburg junior Izzy Moreland put together her best pitching performance of the season last Tuesday against Paola.

Moreland had just completed seven innings and gave up just one run to the Panthers as she struck out 11. Despite that, the Lady Cats were still down a run with three outs remaining.

As it turned out, Moreland had a pretty good day with the bat as well.

After Addy Stohs singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh, Moreland hit a 2-run walk-off home run to give the Lady Cats a 2-1 victory over the Panthers and end a 3-game losing streak in the process.

Inclement weather prevented the two teams from finishing the doubleheader last Tuesday, but the second game was played Friday and Paola got the split as it handed Louisburg a 3-1 setback.

The Lady Cats finished their season with a 7-13 record as they enter the Class 4A regional tournament as the No. 13 seed.

Moreland recorded her best all-around performance of the season on the mound as she gave up just the one run in the third inning, and Paola held on to that lead until the bottom of the seventh.

With Stohs on first, Moreland hit a high fly ball to right field that hit the top of the fence and bounced over. That sent her teammates running out of the dugout to meet her at home plate.

Prior to that inning, the Lady Cats had trouble getting anything going as they had just three hits up until that point. Those came on singles from Moreland, Megan Quinn and Ashley Moreau.

Louisburg’s makeup contest was very similar to the opener as it was a low-scoring affair. Paola got two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to take a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Cats scratched a run across in the sixth when freshman Delaney Nelsen scored after Moreland grounded out on a fielder’s choice. However, that was the only run the Lady Cats would get.

Louisburg had five hits, including two from Nelsen and a double from Moreau. Moreland and Brynley Bauer each had singles.

Ultimately, it was the mistakes that hurt the Lady Cats as they committed five errors and all three Paola runs were unearned.

Quinn started the game for Louisburg as she gave up four hits in four innings and struck out four. Moreland pitched the final three innings and had a pair of strikeouts.

Louisburg will now begin postseason play today as the Lady Cats square off with No. 4 Ottawa at 4:30 p.m. at the Orlis Cox complex in Ottawa. The winner of that game will play the winner of Holton/Rock Creek for the championship later in the day.

Louisburg catcher Rylee Hickey tags out a Eudora player sliding into home Tuesday at Eudora High School. The Lady Cats fell to Anderson County and Eudora after winning three straight games.

EUDORA — After rattling off three straight wins, the Louisburg softball team has gone through a couple rough patches.

Most recently, the Lady Cats faced off Eudora in a single game last Tuesday and left with a 12-1 loss against a Cardinal team that is one of the top teams in the Frontier League.

On April 27, Louisburg hosted Anderson County for a doubleheader and lost a pair of 5-3 and 8-4 contests.

“Although we lost, we did have some positives against Anderson County,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “Our defense was better as we only made two errors all night long. We also have girls that are still consistently hitting the ball hard and making things happen.”

Against Anderson County, the Lady Cats got a good performance from starter Megan Quinn as she pitched a compete game. She gave up three earned runs and struck out seven.

Louisburg (6-12) had a 3-2 lead going into the sixth inning, but Anderson County scraped across a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to steal the win from the Lady Cats.

Quinn led the Lady Cat bats with three hits, including a double, while sophomore Katie McKain had a pair of RBIs. Junior Jenna Cauthon added two hits and an RBI, while Addy Stohs and Rylee Hickey each had a double.

“Jenna, Ashley (Moreau) and Megan are all finding ways on base and hitting the ball well,” Chapman said. “Addy is hitting the ball hard and doing a great job in the field. I’ve asked her to move around a little bit and she’s accepted that and done a great job.”

In the second game, Anderson County jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning and never let the Lady Cats in the game. The Bulldogs used their power as they connected on three home runs to pull away.

Junior Izzy Moreland started for the Wildcats, but worked around some rough patches as she was able to strike out 12 in five innings of work.

Quinn had another multi-hit performance with two hits, while Stohs, Moreland and Delaney Nelsen had RBIs for Louisburg. The Lady Cats made thing interesting with three runs in the sixth, but could get no closer.

Against Eudora, the Cardinals took a big lead on Louisburg from the first inning on and never let up. Eudora scored five runs in the first, one in the second, four in the third and two in the fourth.

Quinn, Stohs, Moreland and Moreau all had hits for Louisburg, while freshman Shyloh Waite had the team’s lone RBI. 

Louisburg will try and end the regular season on a good note as the Lady Cats host Paola on Tuesday for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. at Lewis-Young Park.

Here is the Louisburg Sports Zone Athlete of the Week for week five of the spring sports season, sponsored by Edward Jones-Craig Holtzen.

MEGAN QUINN, JUNIOR, SOFTBALL

Louisburg junior Megan Quinn has been causing opposing pitchers fits the last couple weeks — last week in particular. During a quad at McPherson and a home doubleheader against Osawatomie, Quinn accounted for three home runs and 10 RBIs during that four game stretch. She also found success on the mound with nine strikeouts in two games.

Quinn is in rarified air as far as Louisburg softball goes. After last week, Quinn has now homered in five of her last six contests and is one of the few — if any — in school history to achieve the feat. She is currently hitting .364 on the season with 16 hits, four doubles, five home runs and 14 RBIs.

The athlete of the week award is announced every Wednesday morning during the spring season and the winner is selected by Louisburg Sports Zone with the help of nominations from coaches.

Previous winners:

Week 1: Rowan Yows

Week 2: Sabra Brueggen

Week 3: Danny Napier

Week 4: Corbin Hamman

Louisburg junior Megan Quinn homered three times last week as the Lady Cats earned three victories, including a doubleheader sweep Thursday against Osawatomie.

The bats came alive for the Louisburg softball team last week and it turned into three wins in four games for the Lady Cats. 

After earning a split at the McPherson Quad last Tuesday, the Lady Cats hosted Osawatomie in a doubleheader Thursday. Louisburg scored 29 runs in the two games and came away with 16-5 and 13-1 victories over the Trojans at Lewis-Young Park.

In the last four games total, the Lady Cats have scored 49 runs, and in the process, improved their record to 6-9 on the season.

“Our bats are finally poppin,” Louisburg coach Nick Chapman said. “A couple weeks ago, we went back to the fundamentals of hitting; getting lots of tee work in and breaking down our swings. I’m glad we did that because it’s starting to pay off at the plate.

“We are hitting like I know we are capable of hitting. We are making consistent solid contact but also doing some great small things as well. Even against McPherson, we did some great things offensively against a couple decent pitchers.”

No bat has been hotter than junior Megan Quinn.

Quinn recorded three home runs on the week and has homered in five of the last six games. In her four contests this week, she had six hits and 10 RBIs, including a home run against Osawatomie and two home runs in the McPherson Quad.

“Megan is on a tear right now,” Chapman said. “I don’t know how many girls have hit 5 home runs in a single season (at Louisburg), let alone in six games. Again, Megan is going back to the basics and making some great adjustments at the plate. She’s sitting back and finding her pitch and just dominating at the plate right now. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

In the first game against Osawatomie, the Trojans actually jumped out to a 4-0 after two innings thanks to a couple Louisburg miscues. The Lady Cats quickly rebounded.

Louisburg scored seven runs in both the third and fourth innings to take a 14-2 lead and it was all starter Izzy Moreland needed. Moreland got the complete game victory as she gave up just two earned runs and had seven strikeouts.

Moreland also led the Lady Cats with the bat as she tallied three hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Louisburg had six extra base hits as a team.

Sophomore Brynley Bauer had three hits, including a double, and 2 RBIs. Junior Ashley Moreau and sophomore Katie McKain each had a pair of hits, including a double and 3 RBIs each. 

Quinn had two hits, doubled and drove home two runs. Junior Jenna Cauthon did much of the same as she tallied two hits with a double and an RBI.

Sophomore Addy Stohs had a pair of hits and an RBI and freshman Delaney Nelsen also had a run-scoring single. 

Louisburg had a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning of the nightcap and used one big inning to pull away. The Lady Cats scored 11 runs in the fourth to seal the win.

Quinn got the complete game victory as she didn’t allow an earned run and struck out four batters. She also helped herself with her bat with a solo home run.

McKain led the Louisburg bats with three hits and 2 RBIs. Moreau, freshman Shyloh Waite and junior Rylee Hickey, who was in her first game back from injury, also had two hits.

Cauthon had an RBI double for the Lady Cats and Moreland also drove in a run for Louisburg.

“Overall, we had a great offensive night against Osawatomie,” Chapman said. “Once we got going at the plate, we didn’t stop. Ashley is still on a tear at the plate. Izzy, Jenna, Addy are all hitting the ball really well. Katie and Brynley had a fantastic night as they started finding solid contact and hitting into some gaps to get some runners in. We finally got Rylee back. She caught our second game. She came in and did some awesome things behind the plate. I’m so glad to have her back. 

“I told our girls to start the night that we need to be playing our best softball down this last stretch of games. Offensively, I think that was one of our better nights. If we can get our defense to match our offensive explosiveness, we will be tough to beat.”

Louisburg is back in action Thursday when the Lady Cats host Anderson County for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.

Louisburg splits at McPherson Quad

Louisburg ventured outside of Frontier League play and the Lady Cats made the drive down to McPherson to compete in a quad.

Although the Lady Cats lost their first game to the Bullpups, 16-6, they were able to salvage the day with a a 14-3 win over Emporia.

“The only thing I didn’t like about the McPherson tourney is that it was 3 hours away,” Chapman said “I thought it was fun though. It is definitely nice to see some different teams. We saw McPherson, who is a really solid 4A team. They lost to 6A Derby in the championship, who is one of the top teams in 6A. Then we got to see Emporia in our second game. It was good to go down there and walk away with at least one win.”

Against Emporia, Megan Quinn led the Lady Cat bats with a pair of hits of 4 RBIs — three of which came on a home run in the fifth inning that ended the contest.

Louisburg scored seven runs in the first two innings and then put the game on ice with a six-run fifth.

Izzy Moreland and Brynley Bauer each had two hits and 2 RBIs to help the Lady Cat cause and Delaney Nelsen drove home a pair of runs. Ashley Moreau and Addy Stohs also finished with two hits.

Moreland started the game for Louisburg and got the win as she gave up just two earned runs and had six strikeouts.

McPherson got to the Lady Cats early as the Bullpups took a 7-1 lead after one inning and were able to pull away from there.

Quinn hit a 3-run home run in the fifth inning, while Stohs had three hits — including a pair of doubles, to lead the Lady Cat bats. Moreland and Moreau also had two hits each.

Louisburg boys basketball coach Ty Pfannenstiel will take over the school’s activities director role next school year. He also resigned his basketball position after coaching the Wildcats for the last six years.

Beginning next school year, Louisburg High School activities will have a little different look to it — especially at the top.

Ty Pfannenstiel will serve as the school’s new activities director and will take over for current AD, Michael Pickman, who will focus on his assistant principal duties and curriculum. 

Pfannenstiel, who has been the boys basketball coach for the last six years, resigned his post to take on the activities director position. He also stepped down as an assistant football coach.

Currently the weight room instructor, Pfannenstiel will spend half his day teaching and the other half in the AD role.

All of the moves were approved during Monday’s meeting of the USD 416 Board of Education.

“This is very exciting for me,” Pfannenstiel said. “It’s definitely going to be a change. I have been a teacher and a coach for 18 years. I still get to be a teacher half-time, and now I get to step into a new role as an administrator. It is going to be all sports and activities and I am looking forward to the new direction.”

As for Pickman, he gets the opportunity to focus more on the academic side as a full-time assistant principal. He was hired as an assistant principal/ activities director in April of 2020.

“I am very excited to commit more fully to the assistant principal role as education and curriculum have always been my true passion,” Pickman said. “Being able to support the teachers, students, and administrative staff by providing data, feedback, and assessing teaching and learning goals and initiatives in the building and district aligns with that passion and the opportunity arose to allow for that. I hope to enable and promote continued growth in the various curriculums and initiatives and structures that make Louisburg a fantastic district in a supportive community.

“Ty has experience and is passionate about athletics and activities. As it is where his passion is, I have every confidence he will do a fantastic job in his new role and look forward to witnessing where he takes our programs moving forward.”

Pickman took over LHS activities at a difficult time as the school was coming back from COVID-19 and the all challenges it presented. As tough as that situation was, he appreciated the relationships he built.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my role as activities director and was presented a fantastic growth opportunity and am grateful for being given it,” Pickman said. “I had a goal of being present for athletes and coaches and for the patrons, so I hope people saw that presence. I was blessed to have great leadership in place in our coaches and sponsors, and tried to support them best by advocating for their needs and supporting them to do their job of being great role models and passing on their passion and knowledge to students.

“Ultimately, I am most proud of our student athletes and activity participants and being part of their journey. I believe that sports are an extension of the classroom and I wanted to help ensure that character and sportsmanship were just as important and success, and I am overjoyed to have a wealth of memories where our fans, students, participants, and coaches and sponsors proved that to be true of LHS.”

While taking on the challenge of being a new administrator is one he is looking forward to, leaving his coaching roots behind was a difficult decision for Pfannenstiel.

In 2021, Pfannenstiel led the Wildcat boys basketball team to the Class 4A state championship game and finished as the state runner-up.

“That was definitely the biggest thing that was holding me back,” Pfannenstiel said. “I love basketball and the kids that I have worked with. There is a group coming up that I really enjoy coaching, and leaving that behind was one of the biggest challenges for me. Whoever takes over the program, I think it will be good transition for them because they will have a great group of kids to work with.

“Originally, I was going to be allowed to coach a sport and they didn’t want to take coaching away from me. The more I thought about it, if I want to do a good job at this, I need to focus on being the AD and that will be something that will benefit me and all the other activities.”

Pfannenstiel believes the move is a good one for the school in general as it will allow Pickman and principal Amy VanRheen to focus more on the academic side of things.

“This is something that is definitely needed,” Pfannenstiel said. “Our administrators are so busy with all the stuff they do during the school day, but they are also going to all the activities as well. Hopefully this will be a big help for Mrs. VanRheen and Mr. Pickman.”

Although he won’t official start his new position till next school year, Pfannenstiel is already starting to transition into his new role — one that is looking forward to.

“My job in the weight room and coaching has all been about sports,” he said. “That is what entices me about this job is that I am still going to be all about sports and activities. I just want to be a support for our coaches and our athletes and be advocate for our students.”