Trojans Baseball Face Tough Road Start, Look Ahead to Home Opener

ALTUS, Okla. – The Colby Trojans baseball team opened the 2026 season on the road at Western Oklahoma State College, dropping all four games of the opening series. While the Trojans struggled to find consistent offense and contain a powerful home team lineup, the weekend provided valuable experience and a foundation to build on as the season progresses.

Game 1 (Friday, Feb. 6)

Colby was limited offensively early, as Western Oklahoma's pitching staff held the Trojans hitless through the first six innings. The Trojans broke through late, scoring three runs over the final three frames, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.

Turner Zdunich provided a bright spot both at the plate and on the mound. Zdunich drove in a run, reached base three times, and stole two bases, while also starting on the mound and throwing three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.

Western Oklahoma took control in the middle innings, scoring four runs in the fourth and fifth to build separation. Colby relievers Grant Myers and Erik Iseppon worked out of pressure situations, but Western Oklahoma added insurance runs late.

Colby's offense came alive in the late innings. Callum Thomson recorded the Trojans' first hit of the game, a double, while Charlie Langford and Jacob Mraz each drove in a run. Colby drew five walks and was aggressive on the basepaths, but finished the game with just three hits.

Game 2 (Saturday, Feb 7)

The Trojans jumped out to an early lead but couldn't sustain the momentum, falling 9–2 to Western Oklahoma State College on the first game of the double-header Saturday (Feb. 7).

Colby struck first in the opening inning. Caden Clifford delivered the big swing of the day, launching a two-run home run to give the Trojans an early 2–1 advantage. Charlie Langford and Clifford each recorded hits in the inning as Colby capitalized on early opportunities.

Western Oklahoma responded in the middle innings, scoring three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth to take control of the game. The hosts added insurance runs late, pulling away to secure the win.

Colby managed just three hits in the afternoon, with Langford and Nolan Hertzke each doubling to account for extra-base production. Despite drawing limited free passes, the Trojans battled at the plate, but were held scoreless over the final six innings.

On the mound, Isaiah Sadorus made the start for Colby, throwing 3.2 innings and striking out four. Thomas Loubier and Tyson Mosenteen followed in relief, working through traffic as Western Oklahoma's offense applied consistent pressure.

Game 3 (Saturday, Feb. 7)

The Colby Trojans dropped the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, falling 13–1 to Western Oklahoma State College. The Trojans managed just two hits, with Callum Thomson driving in Jacob Mraz for Colby's lone run in the fourth inning.

On the mound, Pedro Carillo took the loss, with relief from Robert Whitaker, Jake Lentz, and Jaxon Nielsen. Western Oklahoma's early scoring put the game out of reach, as the Trojans look to regroup for Sunday's final two games of the opening series.

Game 4 (Sunday, Feb. 8)

Colby Community College wrapped up its opening four-game series with a 9–4 defeat at Western Oklahoma State College on February 8. While the Trojans were unable to snap the sweep, they showed flashes of offense and resilience throughout the contest.

Colby got on the board in the second inning when Turner Zdunich drove in two runs with a home run, giving the Trojans an early spark. The team added a run in the fifth inning and another in the seventh, highlighted by an RBI from Chase Kessler and solid base running from Charlie Langford and Matt Murray, who each stole a base. Callum Thomson and Jake Brooks also contributed defensively, turning a double play to slow the home team's momentum.

Despite Colby's efforts, Western Oklahoma built an early lead, scoring in each of the first four innings, and added key runs in the middle innings to secure control. The home team's balanced attack featured home runs from Colton Rother and Carlos Martinez, while Alajandro Gomez and Nadier Cano provided clutch hitting with doubles and RBIs to keep pressure on the Trojans.

On the mound, Colby's pitching staff struggled to contain the aggressive Western Oklahoma lineup. Pedro Carillo, Robert Whitaker, Jake Lentz, and Jaxon Nielsen combined for 10 hits and 13 runs allowed, showing the challenges the Trojans will look to correct as the season continues.

While the four-game sweep was a tough start, Colby showed flashes of promise throughout the series, giving the Trojans valuable experience and a foundation to build on. The team now looks ahead to its home opener on Thursday (Feb. 12) against Lamar.