Softball Set for Packed Week Ahead
The Colby Trojans softball team continues its push through conference play with a midweek road doubleheader against Fort Hays Tech NW on Wednesday in Goodland, followed by a return home for a Saturday doubleheader against Pratt.
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
6 | 1 | 11 | 7 | 0 | 25 | 16 | 3 |
|
|
0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 9 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 14 | 1 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 1 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
|
|
4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 7 | 7 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | X | 7 | 14 | 1 |
The Colby Trojans softball team faces a busy week, opening with a road doubleheader against Fort Hays Tech NW on Wednesday (April 8). They return home Thursday (April 9) to host No. 20 McCook before wrapping up the week with a conference doubleheader against Pratt on Saturday (April 11).
Colby has established itself as one of the most explosive offensive teams in the KJCCC this season, hitting .362 as a team with an impressive .606 slugging percentage. Leading the charge is Briley Christensen, who continues to put together one of the most dominant seasons in the conference. The National Player of the Week earlier this year is hitting a staggering .526, second in the conference, while posting a 1.042 slugging percentage. Christensen has totaled 21 extra-base hits, including 14 home runs, while drawing 29 walks and driving in 46 runs which is third most in the conference.
Alongside her, Brooke Zinken has been equally impactful. Zinken is hitting .469 with 12 home runs and brings another dimension with her speed, leading the team with 22 stolen bases and has been gold glove material in center field. The duo ranks among the top home run hitters in the conference and has anchored a lineup that is difficult to navigate from top to bottom.
In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer has been the team's primary workhorse, compiling a 9-4 record with a 4.23 ERA over 82.2 innings pitched. Katelyn Zukewich has also played a key role, striking out 77 batters while averaging 8.51 strikeouts per seven innings.
Fort Hays Tech NW enters Wednesday's matchup with a 1-33 overall record and is still searching for its first conference win. The Trojans previously swept the Tigers earlier this season at home and will look to replicate that success on the road.
Despite the record, the Tigers have a few contributors to watch. Natori Yates leads the team with a batting average above .300, while Harley Dehner has driven in 16 runs to pace the offense. Lynnlera Lagai adds speed on the basepaths with 20 stolen bases, providing a potential spark at the top of the lineup.
No. 20 McCook enters the matchup as one of the hottest teams in the country, boasting a 34-4 overall record and riding a 10-game winning streak. Their success has been fueled by a dominant offense that features five players hitting over .400 on the season. Leading the way is Lyndsay Keogh, who is hitting an impressive .495 while adding 11 home runs and 53 RBIs. Keogh has also posted a .981 slugging percentage, making her one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup.
In the circle, McCook is equally strong, featuring two pitchers with ERAs under 2.00, both with double-digit starts on the season. Their combination of elite pitching and a high-powered offense has made them a formidable opponent and a tough challenge for any team they face.
Colby will then return home to face Pratt on Saturday. Pratt enters the week with a 6-26 (3-13 KJCCC), but is coming off a run-rule victory over Seward County, giving them some momentum.
Offensively, Pratt has struggled overall, hitting .199 as a team with 81 total runs scored on the season. However, they do feature a few key hitters capable of producing. Desirae Lopez leads the team with a .342 batting average, while Kennadie Arevalo has driven in a team-high 18 RBIs. Pratt also has three players hitting above .300, suggesting the ability to generate offense in stretches.
Colby currently sits second in the KJCCC standings behind Hutchinson, positioning themselves as one of the top contenders in the conference. Both upcoming opponents this week enter in the bottom two spots in the standings, giving the Trojans a key opportunity to create separation this week.