Baseball Split High-Scoring Series in Sterling, Turn Focus to Conference Play

STERLING, Co. - The Colby Trojans baseball squad battled through a high-scoring, momentum-filled four-game road series against Northeastern over the weekend, earning a hard-fought split in Sterling. Across the series, the Trojans showcased explosive offense and strong bullpen performances in a set that featured 92 combined runs between the two clubs.

Game 1 

The Colby Trojans baseball team dropped the opener of its four-game set Saturday (Feb. 28), falling 14-7 on the road to Northeastern. Colby came out aggressive at the plate, plating two runs in the top of the first to grab an early advantage. The Plainsmen answered with four in the bottom half, but the Trojans continued to battle.

Jacob Mraz provided a spark throughout the afternoon, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Turner Zdunich added a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run, an RBI, and a walk. Colby reclaimed momentum in the third inning with two more runs and added single runs in the fourth and fifth to keep the game within reach at 8-7 through five innings.

Chase Kessler doubled and drove in a run, while Jake Brooks added an RBI base hit. Carter Graham and Charlie Langford also contributed RBIs as the Trojans totaled nine hits and five walks in the contest.

However, Northeastern created separation in the sixth inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and drawing nine walks overall. A late offensive surge by the home team pushed the lead to 14-7 and proved to be the difference.

On the mound, Isaiah Sadorus took the loss after working the first three innings. Thomas Loubier provided key relief innings to stabilize the middle frames, while Brody Torkelson and Pedro Carillo closed out the game.

Game 2 

Colby responded in a big way in game two Saturday, outlasting Northeastern Junior College 15-12 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth battle to earn a split on the day.

In a game that featured 27 combined runs, 25 hits, and momentum swings throughout, Colby delivered timely power and clutch pitching late to secure the win.

After trailing 5-2 early, the Trojans erupted for five runs in the fourth inning to take control. Turner Zdunich finished 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run, and six RBIs. His bases-clearing extra-base hit ignited the fourth-inning rally and shifted the tone of the contest.

Colby continued to apply pressure offensively, adding two runs in the fifth, one in the sixth, and a pivotal five-run seventh inning that created separation. The Trojans totaled 15 runs on 13 hits and drew eight walks, showcasing patience and depth throughout the lineup.

Jackson Tjart set the table with a 3-for-5 performance, including a double and three runs scored. Jacob Mraz launched a home run and walked twice, while Ty Shapton added a solo homer. Anthony Deblois contributed two hits and an RBI, and Jake Brooks drove in two runs as part of a balanced offensive attack.

On the mound, Jake Lentz earned the win in relief, striking out five over three innings while navigating key middle frames. Dallen Rude was dominant in closing the door, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the save and halt Northeastern's late push.

Despite a seventh- and eighth-inning rally by the Plainsmen, the Trojans maintained composure down the stretch. Colby's pitching staff combined for 13 strikeouts in the game, overcoming nine walks issued to secure the victory splitting the day.

Game 3

Colby showed resilience from the start, overcoming an early 5-0 first-inning deficit to take control late and secure its second straight win in the series on Sunday (March 1).

The Trojans chipped away with a run in the third before delivering a decisive stretch across the fifth and sixth innings. Colby plated four runs in the fifth to swing momentum and followed with a five-run sixth inning to seize command of the game.

Anthony Deblois sparked the rally, going 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Jake Brooks delivered in key moments, finishing 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Matthew Kesting added a double and drove in two, while Matt Murray contributed two RBIs of his own.

Turner Zdunich recorded two hits, and Jacob Mraz reached base three times with a hit and two walks as Colby's lineup continued its patient, disciplined approach. The Trojans drew 10 walks in the contest and capitalized on defensive miscues, scoring 13 runs on 11 hits.

On the mound, Gabe Fournier earned the win in relief, tossing a strong inning with three strikeouts to halt Northeastern's momentum. Dallen Rude shut the door once again, throwing 1.2 scoreless innings to secure his second save of the series. The bullpen combined to hold the Plainsmen scoreless over the final two frames to seal the victory.

Despite issuing seven walks and working around early trouble, Colby's pitching staff made key pitches when it mattered most. The Trojans outscored Northeastern 12-4 over the final six innings, flipping the game with timely hitting and steady relief work.

Game 4

The Trojans closed out its four-game series in Sterling on Sunday, falling 11-5 to Northeastern and earning a split in the weekend set.

Colby showed early fight, responding after a four-run first inning by Northeastern with three runs in the second to quickly cut the deficit to one. The Trojans continued to chip away, adding a run in the third to make it 7-4 and staying within striking distance through the middle innings.

Jake Brooks led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and two RBIs, continuing his strong weekend at the plate. Jacob Mraz added two hits and an RBI, while Anthony Deblois and Caden Clifford each drove in a run. Charlie Langford reached base three times with a hit and two walks as Colby finished with 10 hits in the contest.

On the mound, Turner Zdunich took the loss after working three innings. Tommy Mann provided steady middle relief, tossing three innings and allowing three runs, while Robert Whitaker struck out six over the final two frames to close the game. Despite turning a key double play defensively and keeping pressure on offensively, the Trojans were unable to overcome Northeastern's three home runs and 14-hit attack. Colby stranded 19 runners in the contest, limiting opportunities to fully swing momentum.

The Trojans closed the weekend with a 2-2 split on the road, pouring in 40 runs across four games and responding to an opening loss with back-to-back victories in Games 2 and 3. Now, the focus shifts to conference play where they open conference action Thursday (March 5) on the road against the No. 18 Hutchinson Blue Dragons before returning home to finish the four-game series Saturday (March 7) in Colby.