Softball Battles Through Six-Game Homestand, Shifts Focus to Conference Play

COLBY, Kan. - The Colby Trojans softball team wrapped up a busy and competitive stretch of non-conference play last week, hosting three doubleheaders in a five day stretch at home. The Trojans went 4-2 across six games, earning a split with Clarendon on Wednesday (Feb. 25), sweeping Otero on Saturday (Feb. 28), and splitting a high-scoring Sunday (March 1) series with Northeastern. 

Game 1 vs Clarendon (Feb. 25)

Colby showed resilience in the opener, responding to an early deficit with dominant relief pitching and timely hitting to secure a 9-6 victory on Wednesday.

Clarendon struck first with four runs in the top of the first, but the Trojans answered immediately with a four-run frame of their own to even the score at 4-4. From there, Colby seized momentum in the third inning. Briley Christensen delivered a clutch two-RBI double. Later that inning, Ashlynn Pavlov added a solo home run to help the Trojans build separation. Two more runs in the fifth pushed the lead to 9-4.

Christensen finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base, while Pavlov's home run highlighted her 1-for-3 effort. Aly Richardson drove in two runs, and Olivia Wirth doubled and added an RBI as part of a 10-hit team performance.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer was outstanding in relief. After the Trojans navigated a difficult first inning, Cramer shut the door over the final 4.2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out six without surrendering a run to earn the win. Clarendon added two late runs in the seventh, but the Trojans' early offensive surge proved to be the difference.

Game 2 vs Clarendon (Feb. 25)

Game two saw plenty of offense on both sides, but Clarendon capitalized on key innings and took advantage of opportunities to earn a 12-6 win.

Colby grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but Clarendon responded with a five-run third inning to swing momentum. The Trojans continued to compete, cutting into the deficit with single runs in the sixth and a four-run push in the seventh, but a five-run outburst by Clarendon in the top of the seventh created too much ground to make up.

Brooke Zinken paced the Trojans' offense, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, and two RBIs. Emmy Supernor was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while Briley Christensen added two hits and an RBI. Olivia Wirth chipped in with a pair of hits, including a double, as Colby totaled 11 hits in the contest.

Despite the offensive production, defensive miscues proved costly, as Clarendon turned 15 hits and eight walks into 12 runs. Leila Auces earned the win for Clarendon, while Alison Nikolaus took the loss for the Trojans.

Game 1 vs Otero (Feb. 28)

Colby wasted no time setting the tone Saturday (Feb. 28), plating four runs in the bottom of the first to seize immediate control. After Otero answered with two runs in both the second and third innings to trim the deficit to 4-4, the Trojans responded with one of their best offensive inning of the season that led to a 12-4 run rule decision. 

Colby erupted for seven runs in the third, turning a tie game into a commanding 11-4 advantage. The offensive outburst featured both power and production throughout the lineup, highlighted by home runs from Brooke Zinken and Briley Christensen. Kylan Sorenson and Emmy Supernor also left the yard as the Trojans showcased their ability to change the game with one swing.

Christensen finished 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while Brooklynn Ekker delivered a perfect 2-for-2 performance with three RBIs and a stolen base. Zinken scored twice, homered, drove in a run, and swiped a base. Sorenson added a two-run homer, and Supernor chipped in a solo shot as part of a balanced 10-hit attack. Bailey Jackson added an RBI single while drawing six walks.

In the circle, Katelyn Zukewich earned the win with a complete five-inning effort. She struck out seven, scattered seven hits, and allowed four earned runs while consistently working out of traffic to keep Otero from building sustained momentum. Defensively, the Trojans were flawless, turning a double play behind Zukewich and committing no errors.

Game 2 vs Otero (Feb. 28)

For the second time on the day, Colby wasted no time asserting control and swept the Rattlers in run rule fashion.

After Otero pushed across a run in the top of the first, the Trojans answered with four runs in the bottom half to take the lead for good. Colby then delivered the decisive blow in the second inning, erupting for six runs to stretch the advantage to 10-1 and firmly shift momentum.

Lucy Davis powered the offense, going 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs in a breakout performance. Ella McDonald added a key three-RBI effort, while Ashlynn Pavlov drove in two runs. Dayana Miller finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base, and Brooke Zinken set the tone at the top of the lineup with a 2-for-3 day and two runs scored.

In the circle, Alison Nikolaus earned her second win of the season with a strong four-inning outing. She allowed just one earned run on three hits while striking out three. Leone Suamatai'a closed out the final inning, allowing one hit to secure the victory.

Despite a pair of defensive miscues, the Trojans limited Otero to just four hits and three runs overall, controlling the game from start to finish.

Game 1 vs Northeastern (March 1)

The Trojans continued their strong weekend at home Sunday (March 1), edging Northeastern Junior College 5-4 in a tightly contested opener to the first game of a doubleheader. Colby showed poise in the series opener, overcoming an early deficit with great starting pitching and consistent hitting.

Northeastern struck first, plating three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run. The Trojans settled in defensively after the opening frame, as Cheyenne Cramer regrouped in the circle and kept Northeastern off the board through the middle innings.

Colby broke through in the fourth. After putting runners on base, Emmy Supernor delivered the decisive moment of the game, a towering 2 run shot. The Trojans later added two more insurance runs in the sixth inning to extend the advantage to 5-3. Northeastern pushed across a run in the seventh to make it a one-run game, but Cramer shut the door to secure the victory.

Supernor finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs, accounting for the majority of Colby's offense. Brooke Zinken added a hit and scored a run at the top of the lineup, while Lucy Davis chipped in a base knock as the Trojans made the most of their four hits on the day.

In the circle, Cramer delivered a complete-game performance, allowing just four hits and striking out six over seven innings. After the three-run first, she limited Northeastern's opportunities and worked efficiently to keep Colby within striking distance until the offense responded. Clean defense also played a key role, as the Trojans committed no errors in the contest.

Game 2 vs Northeastern (March 1)

They then battled until the final out Sunday afternoon but came up just short in a 16-14 slugfest against Northeastern to close the weekend series.

In one of the most offensive-heavy games of the young season, Colby erased multiple deficits and matched Northeastern punch for punch, but a late surge by the visitors ultimately proved decisive.

Northeastern jumped out quickly with five runs in the top of the first, but the Trojans responded immediately. Colby answered with four runs in the bottom half, setting the tone for what would become a back-and-forth contest all afternoon.

After Northeastern added two in the third, the Trojans continued to chip away. Colby plated two in the third, three in the fourth, and three more in the fifth to reclaim momentum and keep the pressure squarely on the visitors. Entering the late innings, the game remained within reach as both offenses refused to slow down.

Brooke Zinken turned in a standout performance at the top of the lineup, going 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base. Briley Christensen was equally impressive, finishing 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Kylan Sorenson added a home run and two RBIs, while Ashlynn Pavlov and Aly Richardson also went deep. Richardson's pinch-hit homer provided a spark late as the Trojans mounted one final push.

Colby pounded out 16 hits in the contest and did not draw a walk, showcasing an aggressive and effective offensive approach. In addition to the four home runs, the Trojans collected timely extra-base hits and consistently put pressure on Northeastern's defense.

Despite the offensive explosion, defensive miscues and timely hits by Northeastern proved costly. The visitors capitalized on key innings in the fifth and seventh to regain separation, finishing with 16 runs on 11 hits. Colby added two runs in the bottom of the seventh and brought the tying run to the plate, but the comeback attempt fell just short.

With six games and three doubleheaders in the books, the Trojans now shift their focus to the start of conference play with a .500 record. Colby opens the conference slate Wednesday (March 4) on the road against Garden City. The road stretch then continues Thursday (March 5) as the Trojans travel to Sterling, CO, for another showdown with Northeastern before returning home Saturday (March 7) to host Fort Hays Tech NW for a conference battle in Colby.