The Barton Community College baseball team came up short in a pair of high-scoring contests Thursday afternoon at Colby Community College, falling 18-17 in 10-innings before dropping a 15-12 decision in the nightcap at Young Memorial Park.
The opener featured five lead changes, with the Cougars unable to hold a five-run ninth inning lead in the extra inning loss after the scheduled seven innings. In the nightcap, Barton grabbed an early 1-0 lead but fell behind early, with a late push coming up short.
With the pair of losses, the Cougars fall to 22-9 overall and 7-7 in conference play while the Trojans improve to 9-19 on the season and 2-12 in league action. Barton will look to get back on track Saturday as the series shifts to Jimmy Lawson-Danny Biggs Field for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader.
Barton's offense continued to produce across the twinbill, posting 10-plus runs in both contests to extend its streak to six straight games while combining for 29 runs on 25 hits, including seven home runs and five additional extra-base hits. Kyler Horsman led the Cougars with a 4-for-9 (.444) afternoon, blasting two home runs while drawing a pair of walks and driving in four. Bruin Sampson chipped in three hits including a home run, three RBIs and three walks, while Kyle Walker added a 3-for-8 showing with a home run, triple and six RBIs while extending his reached base safely streak to 29 consecutive games.
Additional highlights came from Mitchel Kramer, who was inserted late into the Game 2 lineup and went 2-for-2, belting his first two collegiate home runs while driving in six.
Game 1 Recap
Barton and Colby traded punches throughout the opener before the Trojans delivered the final blow in extras, handing the Cougars an 18-17 loss in a scheduled seven-inning contests extended into the 10th.
Trailing early, Barton responded with a pair of big innings, plating four runs in both the third and fourth to grab control before extending the lead to 14-8 through five. Colby answered with four runs in the sixth and eventually erased the deficit with a five-run ninth to force extras before walking it off in the 10th.
Offensively, the Cougars produced 17 runs on 15 hits including four home-runs, highlighted by Walker's 3-for-6 performance with six RBIs and his fourth long ball of the season. Hayden Oviatt added three hits including his fourth home run of the year and three RBIs, while Horsman drove in three behind a pair of hits including his eighth home run of the season. Sampson also went yard for his first collegiate home run as part of a two-hit, two-RBI effort
On the bump, Antonio Mendez took a no-decision working the opening five innings, allowing 11 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits. Daegen Vinduska provided 2.2-innings of relief, surrendering one run, while Landon Ritchey and Jake Field combined over the final frames. Field (1-2) was charged with the loss after allowing the game-winning run in the 10th.
Barton fell to 14-1 this season when leading after four innings following the opener's loss.
Game 2 Recap
The nightcap saw the Trojans build an early cushion before holding off a late Cougar surge in a 15-12 result.
Barton struck first in the opening inning, but Colby answered with three in the bottom half and continued to apply pressure, building a 14-2 advantage through four innings. The Cougars responded with a seven-run fifth to climb back into the contest and added three more in the seventh, falling short of the comeback bid.
Offensively, Barton totaled 12 runs on 10 hits, highlighted by Kramer's breakout performance off the bench, going 2-for-2 with his first two collegiate home runs, both three run shots while driving in six. Horsman added a pair of hits including his ninth home run of the season, tying for the team lead, while Rhett Winchester finished 2-for-4 with a double and triple. Jordan Raposo also chipped in with two RBIs on a 1-for-2 showing off the bench.
On the mound, the Cougars utilized five pitchers in the contest, surrendering 15 runs on 11 hits while issuing nine walks. Braden Hauschel (2-3) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs over 1.2 innings in the start.