Softball Split Non-Conference and Conference Doubleheaders

Colby softball put together a balanced week of competition, earning splits in both non-conference and conference doubleheaders. The Trojans opened the week by going 1-1 against Cloud County at home on Monday (March 23), before hitting the road and splitting with Barton in conference play Wednesday (March 25). Across the four games, Colby combined for 23 runs in its two victories.

Game 1 vs Cloud County
Colby came out swinging and never let up, scoring in five of six innings to secure a 9-6 win. The Trojans plated three runs in the first, added one in the second, and extended the lead with a pair of runs in both the third and sixth innings.

The offense racked up 13 hits, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Ella McDonald, Brooke Zinken, Katelyn Zukewich, Ashlynn Pavlov, and Ava Pezely. Zukewich led the way with three RBIs, while Pavlov added a home run and two RBIs. Zinken contributed across the board with two hits, including a triple, three runs scored, and an RBI.

In the circle, Alison Nikolaus earned the win with 4.2 scoreless innings, striking out six. Cheyenne Cramer picked up the save, tossing two shutout innings with four strikeouts. Cloud County made things interesting with a six-run fourth inning, but Colby's early offensive surge proved to be the difference.

Game 2 vs Cloud County

Game 2 turned into an offensive battle, but Cloud County capitalized on late opportunities to pull away for a 14-7 win in extra innings.

Colby erased an early deficit with a five-run stretch between the third and fourth innings to take the lead. Briley Christensen powered the offense with a home run, while Dayana Miller collected two hits and drove in two runs. Jalyssa Sabatka and Aly Richardson also added RBIs.

The game remained tight until the eighth inning when Cloud County broke it open with a seven-run frame. Despite being outhit just 11-8, Colby was hurt by defensive miscues, committing five errors in the game. Multiple pitchers saw action for the Trojans, with Katelyn Zukewich getting the start and Alison Nikolaus taking the loss in relief.

Game 1 vs Barton
Colby opened the doubleheader with a complete performance, using timely hitting and a strong effort in the circle to secure a 7-2 win.

After a scoreless start, the Trojans broke through in the third inning when Ashlynn Pavlov delivered a two-run single to plate Briley Christensen and Dayana Miller. Barton answered with a solo home run in the fourth, but Colby quickly regained control.

Christensen sparked the offense with a solo home run in the fifth, and the Trojans added two more long balls in the sixth from Brooke Zinken and Katelyn Zukewich to stretch the lead. Colby tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh to put the game away.

Christensen led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Miller added two hits and scored twice. Zinken reached base four times with two hits and two walks, also adding a home run and an RBI.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer was dominant, tossing a complete game to improve to 9-3 on the season. She allowed just two runs on six hits while working around five walks.

Game 2 vs Barton
The second game shifted in Barton's favor early, as Colby struggled to find offensive rhythm in an 8-0 loss shortened to five innings.

Barton plated three runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding single runs in the second and two-run frames in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend the lead.

Colby was limited to just one hit in the game, coming from Olivia Wirth, and managed only one baserunner via walk beyond that. The Trojans were unable to generate any sustained offense against Barton pitcher Ellie Crawford, who went the distance.

Katelyn Zukewich took the loss in the circle, allowing six runs (five earned) over 3.1 innings, while Alison Nikolaus added relief work.

Colby will look to regroup and carry momentum into the next stretch as they return home for a pair of conference doubleheaders, hosting Dodge City on Wednesday (April 1) and Garden City on Friday (April 3).