Emotional weekend at ballpark as Cougars look to split series with Hutch on Sunday

The Barton Community College baseball had more to play for this weekend at Lawson-Biggs Field than keeping its region playoffs hopes alive.  Amongst the importance of wins and losses the Cougars played for a teammate, a member of their baseball family, and the realization of life outside of the game.  Riding the emotion of seeing teammate Skylar Hill throw out the first pitch of Saturday's doubleheader, the Cougars scored nine runs in the first four innings to win game one 9-6 over Hutchinson Community College. 
"In my thirty-four years of coaching," Barton Head Coach Mike Warren said. "Skylar Hill throwing out the first pitch today with his teammates gathered around him was the most moving experience in my career."
The Blue Dragons countered in game two scoring single runs in five of the seven innings to win 5-1 and improve to 13-18 in region play and 19-28 overall.   The game two victory by Hutch coupled with Friday evening's 8-7 victory, leaves the Cougars in desperate need to win the series finale on Sunday to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.  Barton, 10-21 in region play and 15-33 overall, are tied with Pratt Community College for the eighth and final seed for the Region VI playoffs.  Owning the tiebreaker over Pratt due to the Cougars taking 3-of-4 from the Beavers earlier in the season, the Cougars can better their chances with a win in Sunday's 2:00 p.m. nine inning game.  Pratt travels to Butler Community College for a four-game series on Sunday and Monday.