Barton Baseball picked second in KJCCC West Division I poll #GoBarton

For the second straight season, the Barton Community College Baseball team has been tabbed to finish second for the upcoming 2022 Jayhawk Western Division I season, according to the league annual Coaches' Poll released Thursday.

In 2021, the Cougars finished in a three-way tie for the runner-up spot in the KJCCC West standings posting a 20-12 conference mark while finishing 34-18 overall after falling in the Cowley College sub-regional to Coffeyville Community College.

Region VI runner-up Colby Community College topped the poll with Hutchinson Community College and Butler Community College falling behind the Cougars in the third and fourth spots respectively.

In the Jayhawk East, the reigning Region VI Champion Tigers of Cowley College were picked to win the east with Johnson County Community College and Kansas City Kansas Community College falling behind in second and third. 

Head Coach Brent Biggs' eighth edition will return 14 position players, a starting pitcher, and six relief pitchers out of the bullpen from last season.

Alex Rodgers and cleanup hitter Connor Allen return as the top hitters for the Cougar offense in 2022.  

Controlling the leadoff spot, Rodgers paced the Barton bats leading five offensive categories from a season ago. The Stephen F. Austin commit slashed a .380 batting average with 17 doubles, eight triples, 10 homers, while driving in 34 RBIs and swiping a conference fourth best 29 bases.

Allen conducted a third best average hitting .346 with 11 doubles, two triples and six round trippers over 44 games. Infielder Wade Reynolds, infielder Colter Maldonado, outfielder Shawn Marquis and utility Jordan Ellison are key returning position players.

Grand Canyon University commit, Zach Thornton looks to lead the Barton pitching staff after producing a brilliant freshman campaign. Thornton displayed a 7-1 record in 13 starts posting a 4.01 ERA and pitching a trio of complete games.

Relief pitchers Carson Cornelius, Ian Lanik and Hunter Hesseltine bolster a deep bullpen as the trio combined for 50-appearances on the bump last season.

Biggs' new look Cougars include the additions of pitcher Owen Reynolds of Wichita, KS, and infielder Henry Hayman from Victoria, Australia.

Barton opens the 2022 season February 11th-12th at Rose State College. The Cougars home opener will come Saturday February 19 and 20th as they host a four game set against Western Nebraska Community College.