Baseball Splits Road Doubleheader at Pratt in Hard-Fought Battle

Game 1

Colby then came up just short in Game 1 of the conference doubleheader, falling 5–4 in a tightly contested extra-inning battle against Pratt.

Colby wasted no time responding after Pratt struck first in the opening inning. Trailing 1–0, the Trojans erupted for three runs in the second inning to take control early. Anthony Deblois got things started with an RBI single to score Caden Clifford, followed by Charlie Langford driving in another run with a base hit. Jake Brooks capped the inning by drawing a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Chase Kessler to give Colby a 3–1 advantage.

Pratt chipped away in the fourth inning, tying the game at 3–3 behind a run-scoring triple from Ronald Woods and an RBI double by Tyler Jeffries. From there, both teams settled into a pitching duel, with Colby starter Rory MacDonald keeping Pratt in check through 5.2 innings, allowing three runs while striking out six.

The Trojans appeared to take control late in the ninth inning when Matt Murray delivered a clutch RBI single to score pinch runner Chris Luke, putting Colby ahead 4–3. However, Pratt answered in the bottom half, as Owen Schmidt came through with a game-tying RBI single to force extra innings.

In the 10th, Pratt capitalized where Landon Cochran delivered a walk-off RBI single up the middle, sealing a 5–4 victory for the Beavers.

Offensively, Colby tallied 14 hits on the day, led by Chase Kessler, who went 3-for-4 with a double, and Anthony Deblois, who added two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Charlie Langford and Caden Clifford also contributed multi-hit efforts, while Matt Murray drove in the go-ahead run late.

On the mound, MacDonald turned in a solid start, while Dallen Rude took the loss after allowing two runs over 3.2 innings in relief.

Despite matching Pratt with 14 hits, the Trojans were unable to capitalize in key moments, leaving 15 runners on base. Pratt, meanwhile, made the most of its opportunities late to secure the walk-off win in extra innings.

Game 2

Colby then bounced back in Game 2 with a 6–5 win over Pratt, holding off a late rally to earn the split.

The Trojans struck immediately in the top of the first inning, as Turner Zdunich set the tone with a two-run home run to left field, scoring Jacob Mraz and giving Colby an early 2–0 lead. Pratt answered with a run of its own in the bottom half, but Colby regained control in the fourth with a decisive four-run inning.

Jake Brooks delivered a key two-RBI single to center, bringing home Anthony Deblois and Matt Murray to extend the lead. Shortly after, Jacob Mraz came through again, ripping an RBI double that turned into a two-run play following a Pratt fielding error, pushing the Trojans' advantage to 6–1.

Pratt refused to go away, slowly chipping into the lead across the middle innings. The Beavers plated a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, added another in the fifth on an RBI double from Eli Patrick, and made things tight in the sixth. Tyler Jeffries tripled down the right field line to drive in a run, and Gunner Hewitt followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6–5.

From there, Colby's bullpen shut the door. Carter Graham earned the win in relief, tossing 2.2 innings while allowing just one run and striking out three. Trey Schroeder closed things out in the seventh, working around traffic to secure his first save of the season.

Offensively, Colby totaled nine hits, led by Jacob Mraz, who went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored. Brooks added two RBIs, while Zdunich finished with a home run and two RBIs in addition to drawing two walks. Caden Clifford, Matthew Kesting, and Callum Thomson each contributed hits in the balanced effort.

Despite issuing eight walks on the mound, the Trojans limited the damage when it mattered most, stranding 11 Pratt runners on base. Colby's early offensive burst proved to be the difference, as they held on late to secure the 6–5 victory.

The Trojans will now look to continue the four game series back at home Saturday (April 11) with first pitch set for 1 PM.