Four Kansas native Cougars earn post season awards

The Barton Community College baseball team had four players earn post season awards with sophomore Ryan McClure leading the way with an all-region award as well.  

McClure, awarded for his value throughout a lineup, earned first team utility player on the All-KJCCC Western Division and was a second team selection on the All-Region VI team.  The Lyons, Kansas, native batted .340 on the season leading the Cougars with twenty-five walks leading to a .452 on-base percentage.  Playing multiple positions throughout the year, McClure was also a valued pitcher going 2-0 in nine appearances striking out 32 batters in 24.2 innings of work for a team high 11.68 strikeouts per nine innings.

Three freshman earned the remaining awards for Barton with Lawrence, Kansas, freshman Michael Sinks landing on the second team of the KJCCC West.  The University of Kansas transfer second baseman led the Cougars with 84 hits for a team high .398 batting average, a .555 slugging percentage, and driving in a team high 59 runners while ranking second in doubles (18), stolen bases (25), and on-base percentage (.433).

Landing on the honorable mention team was Sinks' double-play mate in shortstop Cole Henley.  The Kansas City, Kansas, freshman energy and hustle contributed to a Region VI second best seven triples ranking 17th in the nation while leading the region with twenty-nine stolen bases ranking 18th in NJCAA Division I baseball.  Henley was also right behind Sinks' production in the lineup with 70 hits, a .361 average, 21 walks, and a .432 on-base percentage. 

Also landing on the honorable mention team and another versatile player in the lineup for Head Coach Brent Biggs was freshman Drake Bliss.  The Maize, Kansas, product played moved around in the outfield while also dipping into the infield on occasion.   A top-of-the-lineup performer, Bliss led the Cougars with nineteen doubles while ranking third on the team with 66 hits with a .355 batting average to go along with a solid .417 on-base percentage and .522 slugging percentage.