Baseball Drops Non-Conference Matchup at Otero

LA JUNTA, Colo. — Colby baseball battled throughout both games of a non-conference doubleheader at Otero on Tuesday (April 7) but ultimately came up short, falling 7–3 in game one and 4–3 in a walk-off finish in game two. 

Game 1

Colby fell 7–3 to Otero in game one of the non-conference matchup, despite out-hitting the Rattlers 10–8 in the game.

The Trojans came out swinging early, plating two runs in the top of the first inning behind a pair of doubles. Chase Kessler sparked the offense with an RBI double to open the scoring, helping Colby take an early 2–0 lead.

Otero responded in the bottom of the second, stringing together timely hits to even the score at 2–2. The Rattlers then seized control in the third inning, using a combination of singles and a key double to push across three runs and take a 5–2 advantage they would not relinquish.

Colby starting pitcher Carter Graham set the tone early with a scoreless first inning, but the Trojans ran into trouble in the middle frames. Pedro Carillo was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs in one inning of work. Isaiah Sadorus and Grant Myers combined to provide relief, but Otero was able to add insurance runs to maintain separation.

Offensively, the Trojans produced consistently throughout the lineup, finishing with 10 hits. Kessler led the way with a perfect 4-for-4 performance, while Jake Brooks added two hits and scored twice. Matt Murray contributed in the middle of the order, driving in both of Colby's RBIs while going 2-for-4.

Game 2 

Colby then dropped a tough 4–3 decision to Otero in game two of the doubleheader, as the Rattlers delivered a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh.

Colby struck first in the opening inning, with Caden Clifford driving in a run on a full-count single to give the Trojans an early 1–0 lead. Otero answered in the second, capitalizing on a Colby error to even the score at 1–1.

The Trojans regained the lead in the third inning when Anthony Deblois came through with an RBI single, putting Colby back in front 2–1. However, the Rattlers responded again, tying the game later in the inning before taking a 3–2 lead in the fourth on a go-ahead RBI single.

Colby continued to battle and found the equalizer in the sixth inning. Isaiah Sadorus delivered a clutch RBI single down the right field line, knotting the game at 3–3 and setting up a tense final frame.

In the bottom of the seventh, Otero worked a scoring opportunity and sealed the game with a walk-off single to secure the 4–3 win.

At the plate, the Trojans totaled nine hits, with Clifford and Matthew Kesting leading the way with two hits apiece at the top of the lineup. Sadorus and Clifford each drove in a run, while Colby also showed aggressiveness on the bases with multiple stolen base attempts.

On the mound, Brody Torkelson got the start and went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out two. The Trojans used multiple arms out of the bullpen, with Tyson Mosenteen taking the loss after surrendering the game-winning run in the final inning.

The Trojans will aim to clean up execution and bounce back as they return to conference action in their upcoming game Thursday (April 9) in Pratt.