Whatever you can do I can better; Busters run-rule Barton

Garden City, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-Softball might be the only game on the planet where you can get run ruled one game and then come back and return the favor. Wednesday at Tangeman was no exception. 

After an inexplicable 12-1 run-rule defeat in game one, Garden City bounced back for a 15-7 mercy-rule win in the finale. 

Sophomore hurler Alex Barleen, who started the second game, could only chuckle when asked why.

“It’s something that I can’t explain,” Barleen said with a smile.

Barleen, who recently converted to the circle, pitched five solid innings before surrendering four runs in the sixth. Rachel Roe, who struggled mightily in game one, came on and got Ashlyn Osbourne to bounced out to third ending the threat. 

“It’s all about hitting my spots,” Barleen said. “My catcher definitely backed me up today.”

Barleen’s performance for Garden City (17-20, 6-6) was a breath of fresh air knowing the demand that’s been placed on Roe’s shoulders. 

“I felt an obligation to get it done because of all Rachel has done,” Barleen said. 

In the first game, Roe was off her game-allowing seven earned runs on seven hits while walking five. She was chased after just four innings. Her demise was Barton’s (18-12, 3-7) four-run second inning where the Cougars sent nine girls to the plate.

“Our focus wasn’t there in the first game,” Assistant Coach Christina Mueller said. “But we figured things out in the second. Now our focus is on regionals.

The second game saw the Busters plate two runs in the second; four in the third; three in the fifth and six in the in sixth to put the game away. 

Liberty Nelson slapped three hits and knocked in three in the finale. 

Next up: Saturday, April 12-Vs. Otero 2 p.m.; Vs. Trinidad 4 p.m .