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Barton opens Region VI play at home; Allen Co. set to visit
spt cp Michael Sinks HR 002
Michael Sinks heads home this year after hitting one of his team-leading 12 home runs. Sinks is hitting .430 this season for the Cougars. Barton will open Region VI play Friday at 4 pm against Allen County at Lawson-Biggs Field to start a best 2-of-3 series this weekend. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO BCC Sports Information

One of the most successful regular seasons in recent years is in the books. Now it’s time for phase two for the Barton baseball team.
That phase is trying to turn a successful regular season into a successful post season. Phase two gets started Friday at Lawson-Biggs Field when the Allen County Red Devils pay a visit for a best 2-of-3 series.
The two will play Friday at 4 pm and Saturday at 2 pm. If a third game is needed, it will take place Sunday at 2 pm. All games will be 9-inning affairs.
Barton won 40 games this past season for the first time since 2002. The Cougars are hosting a first round playoffs series for the first time since 2008. Barton is the No. 2 seed out of the Jayhawk West in the 16-team field. Barton is 40-15 overall and finished 21-11 in the West.
Allen comes to Lawson-Biggs as the No. 7 seed in the East. The Red Devils finished the season 28-25 and 14-22 in the East. They feasted on the teams below in the standings, going 10-2 against teams 8-10.
But Allen showed it can be dangerous as well. The Red Devils split the season series with traditional power Neosho County, which tied for third at 24-12 in the East. In fact, Allen was 3-5 against the two teams tied for third, also owning a win over Kansas City Kansas.
The Red Devils can hit the ball. As a team they are hitting .327. Three players – Skylar Culver, Roberto Enriquez, and Kole McKinnon — have double digit home runs, led by Culver with 16.
But opponents are hitting .343 against the Red Devils and the pitching staff has an ERA of 7.44.
Barton is led by Player of the Year candidate Michael Sinks. The sophomore is hitting .430 on the season with a team-high 12 home runs and 53 RBI. Corrigan Bartlett is hitting .412 with 48 RBI and 23 stolen bases.
Barton has six players with more than 100 at bats hitting over .300. As a team the Cougars are hitting .325.
On the mound, Barton is led by freshman left-hander Jarrett Seaton. Seaton is 10-1 with a 4.11 ERA. Mason Hiser is 7-2 with a 3.57 ERA and Garret Rogers is 6-5 with a 3.97 ERA. Taylor Langston has six saves to lead Barton and Dawson Pomeroy four. The two have ERA’s of 2.12 and 2.61 out of the bullpen.
The winner will advance to the 8-team double elimination portion of the tournament in Wichita next weekend.

Region VI First Round Series
Best 2-of-3
Top half of bracket
E8 Labette (17-30) at W1 Hutchinson (43-11)
W5 Garden (33-22) at E4 KCK (37-18)
W7 Butler (22-27) at E2 Johnson (42-13)
E6 Coffeyville (25-28) at W3 Dodge (36-16)

Bottom half of bracket
W8 Seward (17-36) at E1 Cowley (27-16)
E5 Fort Scott (35-21) at W4 Colby (27-23)
E7 Allen (28-25) at W2 Barton (40-16)
W6 Cloud (27-29) at E3 Neosho (27-19)

Winner advance to Region VI Double Elimination Bracket to be played May 12-16 at Lawrence Dumont Stadium in Wichita.