Former Cougars provide big numbers for new teams

Former Cougars provide big numbers for new teams
Several former Barton County Community College baseball players are making a lot of noise this season at their respective 4-years schools. Some of the loudest noise is currently going on at a pair of NCAA Division II Regionals, where 4 ex-Cougars are still playing post season ball. Another Cougars was tabbed as the Pitcher-of-the-Year in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

Landon Harper, Scott Chew -- Fort Hays State
Two Cougars are trying to help the Fort Hays State University baseball team to its 2nd D-II World Series in four years. Landon Harper and Scott Chew are two of the top pitchers for the Tigers, currently hosting the 4-team West Region in Hays.

Harper and 2nd seeded Tigers (45-13) won their opener Thursday, knocking off 3rd seed Western Oregon 9-8 to advance to the winners bracket finals. Harper got the start in the game and improved to 10-1 this season with the win. Harper leads the team in wins this season. Harper pitched the first six innings, leaving with Fort Hays State leading 9-6. The Tigers are scheduled to go again today at 3:30 against 4th seed Cal Davis, who knocked off the No. 1 Somona State Thursday. The Tigers are scheduled to throw Chew in the contest, weather permitting. Chew is currently 8-3 for the Tigers, 2nd behind Harper in wins.

Both Harper and Chew were 1st team Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference picks for the Tigers this year. Fort Hays won the RMAC championship in the regular season this year as well as the RMAC post season tournament title.

George Martinez, Shawn Fischer -- Southeastern Oklahoma
Two more Cougars are fighting to get Southeastern Oklahoma (38-14) back to the D-II World Series in the South Central Regional in Cleveland, Miss. It is the first time the Savages have made it to a Regional since their title win in 2000 over Fort Hays. The Savages, the 4th seed in the 4-team event, lost in the opener to No. 1 seed Delta State Thursday, 8-4. In that loss, former Cougars George Martinez and Shawn Fischer combined for 3 hits for Southeastern. Southeastern will play Central Oklahoma today in an elimination game.

Martinez, who was tabbed a 2nd team All-Lone Star North pick for the Savages, is hitting .354 and led the Lone Star with 32 stolen bases. Martinez also scored 53 runs this season and was instrumental in their Lone Star Conference tournament title. Martinez pushed the Savages into the title game with a 3-run homer in the 8th inning to give Southeastern a 5-2 lead. Southeastern eventually won the tournament. Fischer hit .354 as well for the Savages this season with 27 RBI in 40 games.

Follow the D-II Regionals at http://www.ncaasports.com/baseball/mens/results/divii

Grant Barker - Emporia State
Another former Cougar pitcher turned in a great season for Emporia State University this season. Grant Barker was named the MIAA Pitcher-of-the-Year. Barker was 7-3 for the Hornets this season as well as collecting 8 saves. Barker spent time starting and relieving for Emporia, appearing in 26 games, starting 3 of those and going the distance in 2 starts. The Hornets finished 25-21 this season and did not make it to a Regional.

Brian Scafe, Jamie Rusco -- North Carolina Charlotte
The 49ers are currently 21-25 as they complete their regular season this weekend. Former Cougar Brian Scafe has 6 homers for Charlotte this season, good for 3rd on the team. He is also hitting .265 with 34 RBI, which are the 2nd most runs driven in for Charlotte. Jamie Rusco is also having a productive season for Charlotte. The Great Bend High School graduate is 4th in hitting at .292, 5th in homers with 5, and 5th in RBI with 25.

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Check out Barton County Baseball Online at www.bartonccc.edu/sports