Trojans Baseball Slotted Sixth in KJCCC West Entering 2026 Season
The Colby Trojans baseball team has been picked sixth in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) West Division preseason poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches ahead of the 2026 season this afternoon.
COLBY, Kan. – The Colby Trojans baseball team has been picked sixth in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) West Division preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches ahead of the 2026 season this afternoon (Jan. 28).
The Trojans enter the 2026 campaign returning 15 sophomores after posting a 31–27 overall record last season, including a 17–15 mark in conference play. Colby was strong at home a year ago, finishing 16–16 at Young Memorial Field.
Leading the returners is two-way standout Turner Zdunich, the reigning KJCCC Freshman of the Year. Zdunich hit over .400 last season, totaling 35 extra-base hits and 57 RBIs. On the mound, he logged 36.2 innings with a 4.17 ERA, providing a reliable presence both offensively and defensively.
Caden Clifford returns to the infield after appearing in 48 games, recording 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 33 RBIs. Shortstop Charlie Langford also returns after hitting .315 across 48 games, while utility man Jacob Mraz made an impact in 53 games, collecting 16 doubles, driving in 62 runs, and hitting over .400 in more than 200 plate appearances. Matt Murray is back as well after playing in 37 games and recording seven extra-base hits.
Sophomore pitchers returning include Dallen Rude, Robert Whitaker, Gabe Fournier, Tommy Mann, Rory McDonald, Pedro Carillo and Brody Torkelson.
Cloud County Community College was selected to win the West Division after advancing to the NJCAA Division I Plains District title game for the first time in program history last season. The T-Birds earned 74 points and three first-place votes, narrowly edging Hutchinson Community College, which received 69 points and three first-place votes. Reigning KJCCC West regular season champion Barton was picked third with 67 points and two first-place votes.
Butler and Dodge City tied for fourth with 45 points apiece, while Colby landed sixth with 39 points. Seward County was tabbed seventh with 29 points and one first-place vote, followed by Garden City (20 points) and Pratt (17 points).
The KJCCC West season begins with non-conference play starting January 31, as Dodge City faces Howard College and Seward County takes on Lamar Community College. Conference play is scheduled to begin Thursday, March 5, with each of the nine West Division teams playing a 32-game conference slate, featuring a four-game series against each division opponent.
The top four teams in the final West Division standings will qualify for the NJCAA Plains District Tournament. The eight-team, double-elimination tournament is scheduled for May 13–17 at Eck Stadium on the campus of Wichita State University, marking the third time in the past four seasons the event will be held in Wichita. The district champion will advance to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado, May 23–29.
Colby opens the 2026 season on the road next Friday (Feb. 6) with a four-game series at Western Oklahoma State College spanning three days. The Trojans are slated to host their first home games on Thursday (Feb. 12) against Lamar Community College.