Barton splits West opener at Seward
The Barton County Community College softball team began Jayhawk West play in Liberal Tuesday afternoon, splitting games with the Seward County Saints. Seward won the opener 9-3 then Barton won the nightcap 3-1.

The split leaves Barton with a 6-12 overall mark this year and 1-1 in the West.

Highlights
Barton fell behind 6-0 in the first two innings as Seward scored 6 runs on just 2 hits. Four walks, three errors and three passed balls aided in the Saints big early lead. The lead grew to 8-0 before the Cougars finally got on the board in the 5th inning when Ashley Muck drove in Megan Suiter. Martysha Mosley added a 2-run double in the 6th, scoring Ruby Garza and Brandi Gillette.

Barton fell behind again in the second game, this time is was just 1-0 lead when Seward scored in the 2nd inning. Barton evened the score in the 4th inning when Erin Morin singled in Gillette. The Cougars tasted the lead for the first time on the day in when Mosley and Morin drove in some more runs. Mosley gave Barton a 2-1 lead when she matched Garza 1-out double with one of her own to score Garza. Mosley came in to score when Morin made the three consecutive doubles.

That was enough for Karalea Closson, who threw a 3-hitter at the Saints. Barton's defense mark was markedly improved as well in the nightcap. After committing six errors on the opener, the Cougars played error-free in the second game.

Stats
Stats can be found on the Barton County website at www.bartonccc.edu/sports.

Next
March 27 vs. Garden City at Cougar Fields, 2 p.m.