The Barton Community College softball team had their four game win streak snapped Saturday at Independence Community College dropping the regular season finale doubleheader 8-6 and 7-3
The results flip-flop Barton and the Pirates in the Jayhawk East standings, the Cougars dropping to fourth at 11-15 and 17-25 overall with Independence finishing at 12-14 on 22-20 on the year.
The Cougars begin Region VI playoffs on Friday at Dodge City's Legends Park. Pairings and times to be announced Tuesday evening.
Barton outhit the Pirates 21-15 in the twinbill, Makayla Chavez leading the way going 5-for-8 but seven errors allowing just six of the fifteen runs plated being earned proved costly.
Chavez and Brooke McCollough each hit dingers, Chavez on her first collegiate in game one and McCollough's fifth of the year occurring in game two. In addition to Chavez' five hits, McCollough was joined by Teegan Krol with three total hits on the day with the trio each delivering a double.
Ashlee Lucero took game one loss in giving up just two earned runs, striking out five, and walking two. Kayla Beers struck out seven with three walks and just four earned runs as the Cougars committed four errors in the nightcap loss.
Game One Recap
Barton took its one and only lead of the opener just three batters in as Chavez began her 4-for-4 game with a double in scoring on McCollough's single.
Lucero got the next two batters out following a leadoff reach by infield error, but a walk extended the home half with the Pirates connecting on a single and three-run home run taking a 4-1 lead.
Madison Faylor's leadoff single and subsequent pair of stolen bases helped Barton cut the deficit in half by scoring on Emma Morris' base hit to left.
An error and single beginning the third frame followed by a one-out hit by pitch loaded the bases for the Pirates with a two out single giving Independence a 6-2 lead.
The Cougars got the two runs back in the ensuing fourth with Halie Stoneking and Kennedee Lara two-out singles setting up Chavez' RBI single as Lara scored on a Pirates error.
The teams traded solo runs in both the fifth and sixth frames. Morris delivering a two-out double driving in courtesy runner Jaycee Patton from Krol's leadoff two-bagger for the fifth inning run and Chavez belting her first collegiate home run on a solo shot to center. Independence plated both their runs on solo fence clearers.
Barton had a chance in the top of the seventh but stranded their 5th and 6th runners on base with Adreanna Lance and Faylor singles went for naught.
Game Two Recap
McCollough delivered her fifth of the year with two outs in the Cougars first at-bat with Independence quickly tying it up on a leadoff round tripper before adding another on a bases loaded fieder's choice.
Two Barton miscues put another Pirate score on the board in the second with Lara getting one back for the Cougars in the third on a two-out 1-2 pitch hit scoring Stoneking's earlier single.
A leadoff walk followed by a home run began the home half of the third, later extending the inning with a two-out hit and double before an error allowed another run to plate for a 7-2 Pirate lead.
Barton mounted a rally in the sixth beginning with McCollough's double and Krol's single but a Lance fielder's choice pushing McCollough home was the only run the Cougars could muster.