It was definitely a day to forget for the Barton softball team.
A doubleheader that included 11 errors, 21 stranded base runners and most importantly two losses.
The Cougars committed six errors and left nine runners on base in an 11-1 loss to Dodge City to start the day. In the second game, Barton committed five errors, left 12 on base and gave up four runs in the final inning of a 7-5 loss.
The sweep dropped Barton into fourth place in the Jayhawk West, behind Dodge City. Barton is now 7-7 in the West and 22-11 overall. Dodge City is 11-7 and 23-11. Top ranked Butler continues to lead the West at 12-0 and 36-0 while Seward County is sitting in second at 11-3.
From the first inning Monday it just was not the Cougars’ day.
Before Barton recorded an out in the top of the first, Dodge City had three straight singles, Barton committed an error and the Conquistadors pulled off a double steal that scored a run to make it 3-0.
By the time the inning ended, Dodge City sent 10 batters to the plate and led 4-0. That was just the beginning. Dodge scored three more in the second and two in each the third and fourth to take a commanding 11-0 lead.
In the second game it appeared as if the Cougars were going to salvage a split despite the subpar performance.
Kaci Isaacson gave Barton a 1-0 lead in the second with a double to score Mickenzie Toler.
Jayden Gonzalez hit a 2-run homer in the third followed by a solo shot from Payton Reynolds and Barton had a 4-1 lead.
The Cougars clung to a 5-3 lead into the seventh after Maddison Schofield singled in Isaacson in the bottom of the sixth.
But two more errors did in the Cougars as Dodge scored four times in the seventh to take a 7-5 lead.
The Cougars rallied in the bottom of the inning with a single and double to put the tying run on second. After consecutive outs that didn’t advance either runner, a walk loaded the bases with two outs. On base is where all three runners stayed as Barton left the bags full.
The Cougars left 12 runners on base in the finale.
Now it’s on to Liberal and doubleheader with Seward Thursday. If the Cougars want to climb back into the second or third spot in the West, they are going to have to make some hay on the road.
The next three doubleheaders and four of the remaining five in the season are on the road.