MacDonald Dominates Opener as Trojans Split in Liberal

LIBERAL, Kan. – Behind its strongest pitching performance of the season, Colby opened Thursday's (April 2) doubleheader with a 4–2 win over Seward County before the Saints responded with a 19–7 run-rule victory in Game 2 to earn a split.

Game 1

Colby opened its doubleheader riding a dominant outing on the mound from sophomore Rory MacDonald to secure a 4–2 win in Game 1.

The Trojans wasted no time setting the tone, striking for three runs in the top of the first inning, an early surge that ultimately proved to be the difference. After loading the base, Colby capitalized on a defensive miscue to bring in the game's first run. Moments later, Turner Zdunich delivered the first big swing of the day, lacing an RBI double to right field to extend the lead. Caden Clifford followed with a sacrifice fly, giving Colby a 3–0 advantage before Seward County could settle in.

That early cushion was more than enough for MacDonald, who turned in the team's best start of the season. The right-hander went the distance in the seven-inning contest, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out four. He worked efficiently throughout, needing only 85 pitches, and consistently limited traffic with key outs and a double play behind him.

Seward County chipped away with a solo home run in the second inning and added another run via a sacrifice fly in the third to cut the deficit to 3–2. But from that point on, MacDonald locked in, retiring hitters and keeping the Saints from mounting any further threats.

Offensively, Colby stayed patient despite piling up 10 strikeouts, drawing five walks and finding key contributions throughout the lineup. Clifford provided a crucial insurance run in the seventh inning, launching a solo home run to right center to push the lead to 4–2. Clifford finished with two RBIs on the day, while Zdunich added an RBI double. Six different Trojans recorded a hit in the win while defensively, Colby played clean baseball, committing no errors.

Game 2

Colby couldn't carry that momentum into Game 2, falling 19–7 to Seward County in a run-rule shortened contest and settling for a split of the doubleheader.

Seward County came out aggressive and never let up, scoring in each of the first four innings to quickly build separation. A two-run first inning set the tone, and the Saints continued to apply pressure with three runs in the second and two more in the third, stretching the lead to 7–0.

Colby found a spark in the fourth inning, cutting into the deficit in a big way. Matthew Kesting delivered the highlight of the inning, launching a three-run home run down the right field line to bring the Trojans back within 7–3.

The Saints broke the game open in the bottom half of the fourth, capitalizing on another error before delivering the decisive blow, a three-run home run as part of a six-run inning that pushed the lead to 13–3.

Despite trailing big, Colby continued to compete late. In the seventh inning, the Trojans strung together quality at-bats, starting with an RBI double from Turner Zdunich. A sacrifice fly from Callum Thomson followed, and Caden Clifford capped the rally with a two-run home run to right field, trimming the deficit to 13–7.

However, Seward County answered, plating six runs to enforce the run rule. A solo home run started the inning before the Saints delivered the knockout blow, a grand slam that sealed the 19–7 final.

Offensively, Clifford led the way with two hits and two RBIs, while Kesting's three-run homer accounted for a large portion of the Trojans' production. Zdunich added an RBI double, and Thomson chipped in with a sacrifice fly as Colby finished with eight hits and drew six walks.

On the mound, the Trojans struggled to contain Seward County's lineup, allowing 18 hits and four home runs. Multiple big innings proved costly, as the Saints capitalized on both timely hitting and defensive mistakes to create separation early.

The Trojans now shift back home for the final two games on Saturday (April 4).