GUYTON — Owen Barton’s junior baseball season came to a gruesome conclusion at Rebel Field on April 13.

While diving back to first base on a pick-off attempt in the second game of a crucial series against Effingham County, Barton’s left hand was filleted in multiple places by the cleats of the Rebels’ Matthew Ford. Barton grimaced after returning to his feet with blood dripping on himself and the bag, sparking an immediate call for a trainer.

The large crowd sat in silence and many players dropped to a knee while Barton was treated. Ford, who had to stretch for an offline throw, stood with the injured competitor, providing him a consoling touch on the shoulder as Mustangs coaches kept Barton’s tattered hand elevated above his heart.

“Yes, that’s very nice to see where (Ford’s) got his hand on him,” said Naomi Davis Sitton, Barton’s mother, in reference to an unpublished Herald photo of the immediate aftermath of the mishap. “I don’t know him and I know it was an accident. It’s just a devastating injury.”

It took more than 40 stitches to close Barton’s wounds. There was so much blood on first base that the bag had to be replaced before the game could be resumed.

Barton is set to undergo surgery Wednesday to repair possible tendon and nerve damage. 

“I don’t think (Barton) realizes how much recovery this will be,” Sitton said. “If they have to do repairs, we are hoping for full use of his hand in eight weeks. If no repairs — much sooner.

“But he will definitely be ready for next season.”

Sitton is an operating room nurse.

“... I know the surgeons, anesthesiologists, anesthetists and nurses to choose for this surgery so I’m lucky I get to do that. I just hope the doctor doesn’t have too much damage to repair.”

Sitton has been touched by the outpouring of concern about her son.

“I would love to let everyone know how thankful we are,” she said. “It is such a devastating injury and to have the amount of calls, texts, messages, hugs, etc., that we have received from both teams has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “These boys have all grown up playing ball together — from Smart Start to T-ball to now. Even though they are on rival teams, no one wants to see anyone hurt, especially with an injury like this.”

The Mustangs trailed at the time of Barton’s injury but recovered to win Game 2 and the rivalry series.