Softball Set for Eight-Game Home Stand to Open Season

The Colby Trojans softball team returns home this week for its first home stand of the season, hosting eight games across four doubleheaders at Carl Adams Softball Field. The Trojans open Wednesday (Feb. 25) against Clarendon College before weekend matchups against Otero College on Saturday (Feb. 28) and Northeastern Junior College on Sunday (Feb. 29). They will then close out their nonconference schedule next Tuesday (March 3) with a final doubleheader against Trinidad State College.

All doubleheaders are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with game two starting approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener, except for the doubleheader against Trinidad State College on Tuesday, which is set to begin at noon.

Colby enters the week coming off its first weekend of competition with early production throughout the lineup. Brooklynn Ekker leads the Trojans offensively, batting .444 through three starts. In nine at-bats, she has recorded four hits, two RBI, and a double while posting a .556 slugging percentage. The Trojans' power has also been on display early, with Brooke Zinken and Ashlynn Pavlov each launching two home runs to start the season. Briley Christensen has added three RBI while hitting .286, contributing to Colby's balanced offensive attack.

In the circle, Katelyn Zukewich has paced the pitching staff with a 4.04 ERA across two appearances, including one start. In 8.2 innings, she has allowed just five earned runs on six hits while striking out 17 batters. Cheyenne Cramer has made two starts for the Trojans, facing 48 batters and allowing only 13 hits as she continues to provide stability to the rotation.

Clarendon College enters Wednesday's matchup with a 1–17 record, with its lone win coming against Trinidad State College, a team Colby defeated last weekend. Clarendon is led by Cassidy Arevalo, who is batting .451 with a home run, seven doubles, and a .686 slugging percentage. She is tied for the team lead with nine RBI alongside Amber Letkemann. In the circle, Clarendon has struggled, with no pitcher carrying an ERA below 10.00. Aubrey Long leads the staff in appearances and owns the team's only win.

Otero College comes to Colby with an 0–6 record, having been run-ruled in each contest this season against Garden City Community College and Seward County Community College. Despite the record, Otero is hitting .302 as a team, led by Camryn Mickelson, who is batting .571 with five RBI.

Northeastern Junior College enters the weekend 1–7 after earning a win over Miles Community College and still has games scheduled against Barton Community College and Seward County before traveling to Colby. Kelsi Jurczewsky leads Northeastern offensively, hitting .500 with 10 hits, a home run, and three RBI.

Trinidad State is currently 2-12 with the Trojans beating them this past Saturday (Feb. 21). The Trojans fell behind early in their matchup this past weekend, but responded with a dominant offensive performance to defeat Trinidad State College, scoring 12 runs on 12 hits. The Trojans hope for the same outcome when Trinidad State travels to Colby next Tuesday (March 3).

The Trojans look to build momentum and defend their home field with a full slate of games against nonconference opponents before conference play begins next Wednesday (March 4) as they travel to Garden City.