Cougars blow open game with big seventh inning to beat Brown Mackie 13-1
The Barton Community College baseball team scored early then plated seven more runs in the seventh inning to beat Brown Mackie College 13-1 Tuesday evening at Rathert Stadium in Junction City. Playing a neutral site contest to provide a free family and military appreciation night at the ballpark, the Cougars improved their record to 25-19 on the season while Brown Mackie slips to 5-22. Barton is in the midst of a ten game road trip stretch as they will travel to Dodge City this weekend to take on the Conquistadors in a four game series. First pitch for Saturday and Sunday's doubleheader is set for 1:05 p.m. at Cavalier Field.
Highlights:
Barton capitalize on two Brown Mackie errors and a hit batsman in the first two innings to build a four run advantage. Brown Mackie managed a single run in the top of the third on a couple of singles and a hit batsman but it would be the only run the Lions would get as the Cougars' Jason Harris and Niccolo Loardi combined for a six-hit ten strikeout performance. Barton broke open the game in the seventh inning as the Cougars blasted two home runs and sent thirteen batters to the plate in scoring seven runs. One inning later Barton added two more runs to cruise in the late innings for the 13-1 victory.
On the mound Harris pitched five solid innings in picking up his first win in ten appearances. Harris struck out four while walking four but only gave up four hits and one earned run. Loardi pitched the final four innings and was equally impressive in striking out six, walking three, and giving up only two hits.
In three plate appearances Andre Vierya led the Cougars with five runs batted in with four coming on his seventh inning grand slam. Federico Castagnini, last week's conference player of the week for the second time this season, hit his sixth homerun of the season as his two-run blast to centerfield ignited the seventh inning scoring. Alex King and Clayton Garland also drove in two runs as six players contributed to the thirteen runs driven home.
Game Notes:
Barton history instructor and retired Army Sergeant Major Mike Cox threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the game while Junction City High School students Paige Jones and Bryanna Spenser sung the national anthem. The evening's free family night at the ballpark included over a hundred donated items from Junction City and Fort Riley merchants used as give-aways in between inning promotions to those in attendance while the Cougars wore special camouflage uniforms in recognizing and honoring military personnel and families.