Baseball Set for Plains District Tournament Run, Open Postseason Thursday

The Colby Trojans are set to open postseason play at the 2026 NJCAA Division I Plains District Baseball Tournament following the conclusion of the KJCCC regular season, where no tiebreakers were needed in the East Division and multiple spots in the West were decided head-to-head.

Colby secured the No. 7 seed in the West and now turns its focus to the postseason, with first pitch scheduled for Thursday, May 7 at 1 p.m. The Trojans will continue tournament play on Friday and Saturday, with first pitch also set for 1 p.m. each day as they look to make a run through the Plains District bracket.

After a crucial doubleheader sweep at Dodge City, edging Garden City by virtue of a 3-1 season series advantage to close the regular season at 12-20 in conference play. Despite their placement in the standings, the Trojans enter the tournament as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the KJCCC. Colby is hitting .312 as a team with a .537 slugging percentage and 94 home runs, averaging over seven runs per game. 

At the center of the lineup is KJCCC Player of the Week Turner Zdunich, who has delivered one of the top offensive seasons in the conference. The sophomore is hitting .352 with a .462 on-base percentage and an impressive .717 slugging mark. He leads the team with 49 RBI, 29 walks, and three triples while also tying for the team lead with 14 home runs. With 19 multi-hit games this season, Zdunich has consistently set the tone offensively.

Freshman Anthony Deblois has surged late in the season, emerging as one of Colby's hottest hitters. Now batting .346 with a .669 slugging percentage, Deblois has been a major power threat over the past month, blasting 11 home runs while delivering key hits in conference play. First baseman Callum Thomson has provided steady production throughout the year, hitting .331 with a .624 slugging percentage and 12 home runs, while driving in 34 runs in key moments. Charlie Langford also enters the tournament with momentum after a four-hit performance in Dodge City, including four RBI in a must-win game that helped secure Colby's postseason berth.

On the mound, Deblois has also made an impact, turning in two strong outings. After a short appearance against Seward County earlier, he most recently threw a seven-inning complete game, allowing minimal baserunners while striking out six and demonstrating exceptional control. Rory MacDonald, who found a strong rhythm midseason with standout performances against Seward County and Garden City, will be another key arm as Colby looks for consistency on the hill.

Colby will be tasked with slowing down a potent Kansas City squad that has been one of the most productive offenses in the conference. Kansas City is hitting .343 as a team with a .600 slugging percentage and 96 home runs, totaling 512 runs on the season. Freshman Owen Musil leads the charge with a .403 average and 21 doubles, while Ian Woita provides significant power with a team-high 67 RBI and a .746 slugging percentage. The Blue Devils feature five players with double-digit home runs, making them a constant threat from top to bottom in the lineup.

On the mound, Kansas City brings a balanced staff led by Donovan Johnson, who carries a 2.70 ERA. Will Kennedy anchors the strikeout department with 79 punchouts, averaging nearly 11 per nine innings, while Caden Howell has been effective out of the bullpen with 41 strikeouts in just over 33 innings of work. 

As the Trojans head into postseason play, their offensive firepower and recent momentum give them a chance to compete in what promises to be a highly competitive Plains District field. If Colby can pair timely hitting with improved consistency on the mound, they have the potential to make noise in Kansas City this week.