Barton splits opening twinbills with Western Nebraska

Barton splits opening twinbills with Western Nebraska
The Barton County Community College baseball team opened its 2004 season with a split of games both Saturday and Sunday against Western Nebraska at Cougar Fields in Great Bend. Barton split games Saturday, winning the opener 4-0 behind a combined no-hitter from 2 pitchers, then dropped the 2nd game 2-1. The scenario was similar Sunday with Barton winning 10-0 then losing 5-3 to give Barton a 2-2 mark to start the season.

Highlights
The Cougars couldn't have started the season on a much better note than the 4-0 no-hitter shutout over Western Nebraska. Ryan Phillips and Brian Knipplemeyer combined for the no-hitter with Phillips throwing the 1st 5 innings and Knipplemeyer cleaning up the final 2. During the 1st 5 innings, Western Nebraska had just two base runner reach – both on an error. Knipplemeyer faced the minimum in the 6th and 7th to complete the win. Phillips struck out 9 in his 5 innings of work, including the side in his 5th and final inning after the 1st batter reached on an error. Knipplemeyer did walk the 1st batter he faced but a double play wiped out that runner and no one else reached on the sophomore. Barton got all the runs its needed in the 1st inning when Andrew Giambrone and Steve Elson – the 1st two Cougar batters – both scored. Brooks Clark added a 2nd inning homer as well.

In the 2nd game Saturday the pitchers prevailed in the early season match-up. Barton's Ryan Wagner and Justin Randa came up just short in the battle as Western Nebraska earned a 2-1 decision. The lone run for Barton came in the 4th when Steve Edlefsen reached on an error, stole 2nd and later scored on a Jerry Cook double to give Barton a 1-0 lead. Western Nebraska countered with 2 runs in the top of the 5th aided by 3 base on balls in the inning. Wagner took the tough loss.

Sunday saw another good pitching effort from Barton as the Cougars shutout Western Nebraska 10-0 in the opener. Derek McDaid got the start and win for Barton, going 5 innings and allowing just 3 hits while keeping Western Nebraska off the board. Ronnie Morales pitched the 6th to complete the shutout. Once again Giambrone and Elson reached base and scored to start the game to give Barton all the runs they needed. Barton opened the game up in the 5th, scoring 4 times to make a 3-0 lead 7-0. The game ended in the bottom of the 6th as Barton scored 3 more times. Jeff Christy ended with a double that scored Edlefsen.

The 4-game series ended with another tough loss for Barton, dropping a 4-3 game. Barton scored 3 times in the opening inning Elson, Edlefsen, and Christy all scored. Christy and Mark Newton drove in runs to give Barton the early 3-1 lead. Western Nebraska tied the game in the 4th at 3-all then won the game with a single run in the 6th inning for the 4-3 win.

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

Next
Sat., Feb. 28 – at Johnson County, 12:30 pm (non-conference doubleheader at Overland Park)