Softball Take Down Pratt, Game Two Rescheduled
The Colby softball team earned a 7–5 win over Pratt on Saturday, using a big first inning and timely hitting to secure the victory despite a weather-disrupted day that forced Game 2 to be rescheduled.
COLBY, Kan. - The Colby softball team earned a 7–5 win over Pratt on Saturday (April 11), using a big first inning and timely hitting to secure the victory despite a weather-disrupted day that forced Game 2 to be rescheduled.
Pratt struck first in the top of the opening inning, capitalizing on a Colby error and a two-out single to take an early 2–0 lead. The Trojans responded immediately in the bottom half with an explosive four-run inning to swing momentum. Briley Christensen got things started with an RBI single before Ashlynn Pavlov delivered the biggest blow of the frame, launching a two-run home run to left field. Brooke Zinken followed with a solo shot of her own, giving Colby a 4–2 advantage after one.
Colby continued to apply pressure in the second inning, adding another run on a sacrifice bunt by Olivia Wirth to extend the lead to 5–2. The Trojans tacked on an additional run in the third to make it 6–3, maintaining control through the middle innings.
Pratt chipped away with a solo home run in the fifth and added another run later in the game, but Colby answered with an insurance run in the sixth to hold off the comeback attempt and secure the 7–5 win.
Ashlynn Pavlov led the Trojans offensively with two RBIs, while COlby native Jalyssa Sabatka provided a spark at the bottom of the lineup, going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate. Zinken added a home run and scored twice, and the Trojans were aggressive on the base paths, swiping five total bases.
In the circle, Alison Nikolaus earned the win, allowing three runs, none earned, over 2.2 innings. Aubree Trujillo and Katelyn Zukewich combined in relief to help close out the game, with Zukewich striking out three over the final two innings.
Game 2 of the doubleheader was postponed due to lightning and has been rescheduled for Sunday (April 26) at 2 p.m. and will be sophomore day for the ladies.
The Trojans now turn their attention to a tough matchup Monday (April 13) against nationally ranked McCook. Colby split with McCook last week in a non-conference home doubleheader and now head north to face-off at their place.
Following Monday's contest, the Trojans return to conference play with a pivotal weekend ahead. Colby will hit the road for key conference doubleheaders at Hutchinson and Butler, with both matchups carrying significant importance as the team continues its push through the conference schedule.
