The Pratt Community College baseball team faced the Cougars of Barton Community College in a four-game series starting on Thursday, Mar. 21 and continuing Saturday, Mar. 23. This was the third conference series of the season for the Beavers.    

Game One 

In game one of the series Barton came out on top with an 8-0 win to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The Cougars scored two runs in the first inning and added three more in the fourth. They continued to add to their lead with three more runs in the sixth inning.  

The Beavers had opportunities to score, including in the sixth inning with the bases loaded. Pratt had eight hits in 27 plate appearances with six runners left on base. Josh Doelitsch got the start on the mound for the Beavers and allowed five runs in 3.1 innings. Alex Gillig and Brayden Hatley pitched in relief. In 2.0 innings of work, Hatley allowed three runs and four walks.  

For the Cougars, Reece Hemmerlin pitched a complete game shutout while striking out six batters. On the offensive side, Robby Bolin and Owen Clyne led the way with three hits each, contributing to the team's eight runs. 

Game Two 

In game two of the series the bats came alive for both in a high-scoring game with the Cougars taking the 22-12 victory for a 2-0 series lead.  

The game started off with Pratt taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Barton quickly responded with a big second inning, scoring seven runs. The Beavers fought back in the fourth inning, scoring seven runs of their own to tie the game at 10-10. However, Barton pulled away in the later innings, scoring six runs in the fifth and six runs in the sixth to secure the victory. 

The Beavers had 15 hits in the game with 12 runs scored and 11 RBIs. Freshman Skylar Chavez lead the team with five hits and five RBIs. In game two for Pratt, it was pitching by committee on the mound with six pitchers. Matthew St. Pe was awarded the loss after giving up eight runs in 1.1 innings.  

For Barton, Jackson MacWilliams earned the win pitching 1.1 innings and allowing just one run. In the batter's box, Jaron Cotton went 4 for 4 with nine RBIs, including a home run while Grant Nottleman, contributed two doubles and a triple. 

Game Three 

The series moved to Stanion Field for the final two games of the series. Barton emerged victorious in a close 5-3 game. Barton got off to a strong start, scoring 4 runs in the first inning. Pratt fought back with two runs in the first and one run in the third but fell short. 

Pratt's Gavin Djurovic had a notable performance with 2 RBIs. Pitcher Cardon Padgett took the loss, giving up 5 runs in 4 innings. Key players for Barton included Jaron Cotton, Ayden Hadley, and Hank Orr, who each contributed with RBIs. Pitcher Bradley Feezer earned the win, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing 3 runs.  

Game Four

In the final game of the series, Barton came out on top with a final score of 2-1 to secure their series sweep. Barton managed to score 2 runs on 3 hits and committed 3 errors, while Pratt Community College scored 1 run on 2 hits and committed 1 error. 

Pratt's Cayden Brown pitched a strong game too, allowing only 2 runs on 2 hits over 7.1 innings but took the loss. On the other side the Cougars Ethan Minaker was awarded the win, allowing only 1 run on 1 hit over 6 innings.  

Offensively, Barton's Robby Bolin and Hank Orr each contributed with a run scored, while Pratt's Seth Zimmerman drove in their lone run of the game. 

Up Next 

The Beavers will face Garden City Community College in their next conference series. The four-game set gets underway on Thursday, Mar. 28 in Pratt, Kan. with the final two games taking place on Saturday, Mar. 30 in Garden City, Kan.