Big Fourth Inning Lifts Barton Past Garden City in Opener

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Garden City, KS – Garden City Community College jumped out early behind a power surge at the plate, but a historic fourth inning from Barton Community College proved too much as the Broncbusters fell 23-10 in Game 1 of a conference doubleheader Wednesday.

Garden City held a 5-3 lead through three innings after multiple home runs ignited the offense, but Barton erupted for 17 runs in the fourth inning to seize complete control of the game.

The Broncbusters wasted no time responding after Barton opened the scoring in the first. Maysen Kurene-Iwikau tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom half, and Skylah Breeze Joyce followed with another solo shot in the second to give Garden City a 2-1 lead.

Barton answered with two runs in the third, but Garden City delivered its biggest swing of the game in the bottom half. Kurene-Iwikau launched a three-run home run, scoring Danna Viera and Jade Hendrix to put the Broncbusters back in front, 5-3.

The game shifted dramatically in the fourth inning.

Barton sent 20-plus batters to the plate, collecting 14 hits and capitalizing on five Garden City errors in a 17-run frame that turned a tight contest into a lopsided advantage. The Cougars added extra-base hits, a grand slam, and multiple RBI knocks during the inning to extend their lead to 20-5.

Garden City continued to battle offensively despite the deficit. Kurene-Iwikau remained a bright spot, finishing with three home runs on the day, including a solo shot in the fifth inning. The Broncbusters plated five runs in the final frame, highlighted by an RBI walk from Joyce, a run-scoring single by Reagan Sword, and a two-RBI double from Izzy Foster.

Viera and Hendrix helped set the table throughout the game, while Maiarangi Waipara added a hit and a stolen base as part of an aggressive offensive effort.

Key moment
Barton's 17-run fourth inning flipped a 5-3 Garden City lead into a decisive deficit, putting the game out of reach in a single frame.

Key stat
Garden City hit multiple home runs and scored 10 runs, but Barton's 23-run output—highlighted by a 17-run inning—proved to be the difference.

Up next
Garden City continues its doubleheader against Barton Community College with Game 2 set to follow at Williams Stadium.