Softball Wraps Up First Week of 2026 Season

COLBY, Kan. — The Colby Trojans softball team opened its 2026 season Monday (Feb. 16) with a pair of hard-fought losses to Hill College in a season-opening doubleheader. The Trojans dropped the opener 9–1 before bouncing back with a strong effort in game two, leading for much of the contest before narrowly falling 9–8. The softball team returned to action on the road Saturday (Feb. 21), opening the day with a strong win over Trinidad State College before closing the trip with a neutral-site matchup against Utah State Eastern, where the Trojans came up short.

Game 1 vs Hill College

Colby and Hill were locked in an early battle, with Hill striking first on a two-run second inning before the Trojans answered in the bottom half of the frame. Colby capitalized on opportunities on the bases, and Emmy Supernor delivered an RBI to score Brooke Zinken, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

The Trojans kept the game within reach through the middle innings behind steady pitching and defensive efforts, but Hill's offense surged late. The visitors erupted for five runs in the sixth inning and added two more in the seventh to secure the win.

Hill College finished with seven hits but took advantage of 13 walks and key extra-base hits, highlighted by a home run from Kaia Cobb, who drove in four runs in the victory. Halle Joy added a double and an RBI, while Kasara Brooks also contributed a double.

Colby managed five hits in the contest, led by Supernor's two-hit performance. Ava Pezely, Bailey Jackson, and Olivia Wirth each added a hit, while Zinken scored the Trojans' lone run and stole two bases.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer took the loss in her first decision of the season, allowing four runs over 5.1 innings. Aubree Trujillo and Alison Nikolaus provided relief appearances. Hill's Madison Mauricio earned the complete-game victory, allowing just one unearned run while striking out one.

Game 2 vs Hill College

Colby jumped out to an early advantage, scoring in the first inning before adding two more runs in the second to take a 3–0 lead. Hill answered with single runs in the third and fourth innings to trim the deficit, but the Trojans responded with their biggest offensive surge of the game in the fifth. Colby plated four runs in the inning to regain control and later added another run in the sixth to build an 8–3 lead heading into the final frame.

Hill mounted a dramatic comeback in the seventh inning, scoring six runs on three hits while capitalizing on walks to take its first lead of the game. The Trojans were unable to answer in the bottom half of the inning as Hill completed the one-run comeback victory.

Brooke Zinken paced Colby offensively, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, two RBIs, a walk, and a stolen base. Briley Christensen also provided power at the plate, finishing 1-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI, and a walk. Brooklynn Ekker added a double and drove in two runs, while Ella McDonald turned in a perfect day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two doubles and a run scored. Kylan Sorenson contributed an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and L. Davis added an RBI as the Trojans totaled six hits and eight walks in the contest.

In the circle, Katelyn Zukewich started for Colby and struck out 15 batters while allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits over seven innings. She issued 11 walks and was charged with the loss. Alison Nikolaus appeared in relief during Hill's seventh-inning rally.

Hill finished with seven hits and drew 13 walks in the game, overcoming 16 strikeouts and three defensive errors. Despite holding a five-run lead late and producing multiple extra-base hits, the Trojans were unable to hold off Hill's late surge in the narrow defeat.

Game 1 at Trinidad State

Colby fell behind early as Trinidad State scored single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2–0 lead. The Trojans responded in the third when Brooke Zinken put Colby on the board with a solo home run, cutting the deficit to one and shifting the momentum.

The game turned in the fourth inning when Colby erupted for eight runs on a string of timely hits and power at the plate. Ashlynn Pavlov powered the offensive explosion with two home runs and four RBIs in the contest with Colby adding three more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 12–2.

Trinidad State answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, including a solo home run from Kyra Zamora, but the Trojans' early offensive surge proved too much to overcome.

Colby finished with 12 runs on 12 hits, highlighted by four home runs. Pavlov led the way offensively, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Zinken went 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, and two stolen bases, while Briley Christensen recorded a hit and drove in two runs. Leone Suamatai'a added a double and two RBIs, and Lucy Davis hit a solo home run and drove in a run. Emmy Supernor contributed a key pinch-hit single that produced two RBIs, and Brooklynn Ekker collected two hits in the win.

The Trojans were aggressive on the basepaths, recording multiple stolen bases from Zinken, Christensen, Ekker, Kylan Sorenson, and Ava Pezely.

In the circle, Alison Nikolaus earned the win after allowing two runs on three hits over four innings, striking out two. Aubree Trujillo worked the final inning in relief, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one.

Game 2 vs Utah State Eastern

Utah State Eastern took an early lead with two runs in the first inning and added another in the second to go in front 3–0. Colby responded in the top of the second, scoring two runs to cut the deficit. The Trojans then pulled within one in the third when Aly Richardson delivered a two-run home run, giving Colby all three of its runs and briefly shifting the momentum.

The game turned in the fourth inning when Utah State Eastern erupted for eight runs on six hits to take control. The Trojans were unable to recover from the offensive surge, and the Eagles secured the run-rule victory after five innings.

Colby was limited to three hits in the contest. Richardson led the Trojans offensively, going 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBIs while also drawing a walk. Brooklynn Ekker recorded a hit and scored a run, and Emmy Supernor added a hit and a run scored. Dayana Miller drove in a run, while Briley Christensen and Bailey Jackson each reached base via walks.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer took the loss after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits over 3.1 innings while striking out two. Katelyn Zukewich worked 1.2 innings in relief, allowing three runs on two hits with two strikeouts.

Utah State Eastern finished with 11 runs on 11 hits, highlighted by a four-RBI performance from Brooklynn Zajac. Despite drawing six walks and briefly closing the gap early, the Trojans were unable to slow the Eagles' fourth-inning rally in the defeat.

After opening the 2026 season with a challenging slate of four games, the Colby Trojans softball team finished the opening week 1–3. Colby will now look to regroup as they return home for a pair of games Wednesday (Feb. 25) against Clarendon. They also have home double headers scheduled for Saturday (Feb. 28) and Sunday (March 1) as well.