Barton Baseball tabbed to repeat West crown in KJCCC Baseball Preseason Poll #GoBarton

The Barton Community College basketball team has been tabbed to repeat as Jayhawk West Division season champions, according to the league's annual Coaches' Poll released.

In 2022, the Cougars captured the program's 10th Jayhawk West crown posting a 23-7 conference mark while finishing the regular season at 41-18 falling to Cloud County Community College in the plains District Tournament.

Following Barton in the KJCCC West predicted order of finish was Butler projected to finish second after a fourth-place West finish in 2022. Cloud County ensued in third with Hutchinson picked in the fourth slot followed by last year's runner-up Colby in fifth. Rounding out the KJCCC West coaches' poll was Dodge City, Seward County, Pratt, and Garden City.

In the Jayhawk East, the reigning Region VI Champion and NJCAA National runner-up Tigers of Cowley College were picked to win the east with Johnson County Community College and Fort Scott Community College filling out the second and third slots.

Head Coach Brent Biggs' ninth edition will return 13 position players, trio of starting pitchers, and three key relief arms out of the bullpen.

Ranking atop many offensive categories last season in the KJCCC West the Cougars will return three of their top four from last year's lineup led by All-America Honorable Mention selection Ricardo Sanchez, reigning KJCCC West Freshman of the Year Henry Hayman, and Dryden Howse.

A mainstay in the lineup playing in all 59 games for Barton last season, Sanchez returns off a stellar freshman campaign where the infielder broke the program's single season records with 35 doubles and 90 RBIs. Batting in the two hole, Sanchez slashed a second best .442 batting average recording five triples, nine home runs and swiped the programs 10th single season best 27 bases.

Freshman of the Year from a season ago, Hayman returns to the third spot in the lineup fresh off a .384 average while finishing second on the team in doubles and home runs with 15 and nine respectfully.

Appearing in the Barton lineup in 53 of the 59 games last season mainly in the cleanup spot, Howse returns to first base following a solid first year hitting .329 with 20 of his 50 hits being for extra bases, 15 doubles, two triples and three home runs and driving in 43 runs.

Returning a trio of arms to the starting rotation Owen Reynolds, David Stuart, and Tegan Cain look to fill the heavy shoes of last season's ace Zach Thornton who departed onward to Grand Canyon University.

Reynolds a two-time KJCCC Pitcher of the Week a season ago returns to the mound after making 13 starts last season going 6-1 in 58.1-innings of work and holding a 4.94 ERA.

Stuart who opened last season in the bullpen progressed into the starting role as the season proceeded making six starts holding a 3-2 record over 41.2-innings with a 6.05 ERA.

Getting the nod in just eight games last year before battling a late season injury, Cain looks to have a breakout year in his final season in the Cougar uniform succeeding a 1-1 record and 5.30 ERA.

Relief pitchers, Bryan Bartels, Tyrus Riley, and Kade Walker all return to lead a freshman heavy bullpen as the trio combined for 41-appearances.  

Barton opens the 2023 season February 10th-11th at Rose State College. The Cougars home opener will come Saturday February 18 and 19th as they host a four game set against Western Nebraska Community College.