Baseball Pushes No. 6 Cloud County to the Brink Before Walk-Off Heartbreak

CONCORDIA, Kan. - Colby baseball went toe-to-toe with No. 6 Cloud County on Thursday (March 19), showing offensive firepower across both games of the doubleheader. After a tough loss in the opener, the Trojans answered with an explosive two-inning surge in Game 2, erasing a seven-run deficit and seizing the lead late, only to be denied in heartbreaking fashion, 12-11, on a walk-off home run in a dramatic finish.

Game 1

Cloud County came out aggressive and never let up in the opener, scoring in three of the first five innings to secure a 13-3 run-rule victory.

The T-Birds struck immediately in the first inning, stringing together a double, single, and productive groundout to take a 3-0 lead. They then blew the game open in the third, plating six runs on six hits. The inning was highlighted by a three-run home run from Lucas Laukkanen and continued pressure throughout the lineup.

Cloud added three more runs in the fourth and capped their scoring with a solo home run in the fifth, finishing with 13 runs on 13 hits, including four home runs.

Colby's offense broke through in the fifth inning, scoring all three runs on just five hits. Charlie Langford and Nolan Adamski each delivered sacrifice flies, while Jake Brooks added an RBI single. Matt Murray provided a spark, going a perfect 2-for-2, while Callum Thomson and Matthew Kesting each scored a run.

On the mound, Isaiah Sadorus (1-4) took the loss, allowing 7 runs on 6 hits over 2.1 innings, while walking four. Dallen Rude followed, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits, including three home runs.

Game 2

Colby came out swinging and set the tone early when Jake Brooks crushed a solo home run to left in the first inning. The Trojans added another run in the third on a Turner Zdunich sacrifice fly, building a 3-0 lead.

Cloud County answered in the third with a two-run homer, then surged ahead in the fourth with a four-run inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Laukkanen and a two-run homer from Kaden Budke. Another four-run fifth inning gave the T-Birds a 10-3 advantage, putting Colby in a seven-run hole.

That's when the Trojans flipped the game as Colby erupted for five runs on four hits, capitalizing on both timely hitting and a key Cloud County error. Caden Clifford delivered a two-run double, while Anthony Deblois and Brooks each drove in runs to cut the deficit to 10-8.

With momentum building, Anthony Deblois delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, a three-run home run to right field, giving Colby an 11-10 lead and completing an eight-run comeback across two innings.

Holding an 11-10 lead, Colby turned to Gabe Fournier in the final inning. After a tense at-bat, Cloud County's Lucas Laukkanen delivered a two-run walk-off home run, sealing the 12-11 victory.

Cloud County finished with 12 runs on 12 hits, with Laukkanen driving in 7 runs and hitting two home runs, including the game-winner. Budke also added 3 hits and 3 RBI, as the T-Birds totaled five home runs in the game.

Colby's offense was fueled by production up and down the lineup, with six players recording multi-hit performances. Anthony Deblois went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, while Caden Clifford finished 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Jake Brooks added a 2-for-5 effort with a home run and two RBIs, and Matt Murray, Charlie Langford, and Jacob Mraz each chipped in with two hits apiece.

On the mound, Rory MacDonald battled through 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs. Trey Schroeder provided middle relief, and Thomas Loubier was outstanding late, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts, helping preserve the lead heading into the ninth.

Colby showed significant fight and offensive depth, tallying 20 total hits across the doubleheader and nearly stealing a road win against a top-10 opponent. The Trojans now look to Saturday (March 21) as they return home. First pitch of the doubleheader at 1 p.m.