Softball Sweeps Butler Behind Late Surge and Walk-Off Thriller

COLBY, Kan. - The Colby Trojans softball squad delivered a complete performance in front of the home crowd Friday (March 20), using timely hitting and late-game heroics to sweep Butler in a conference doubleheader. The Trojans pulled away for a 7-2 win in the opener before capping the day with a dramatic 10-9 walk-off victory in Game 2.

Game 1

Colby used a late offensive surge and a complete-game performance in the circle to secure a 7-2 win over Butler in a conference matchup Friday afternoon.

After four quiet innings, Colby flipped the game in dominant fashion in the bottom of the fifth. Trailing 1-0, the Trojans erupted for five runs on six hits, sending 10 batters to the plate and taking full control of the contest. RBI hits from Aly Richardson and Ella McDonald highlighted the inning, while contributions came throughout the lineup to build a 5-1 advantage.

Butler struck first in the second inning on an RBI single from Tatum Steiner, and later added a solo home run from Karson Holson in the sixth, but the Grizzlies were limited to just four hits on the day.

Colby answered immediately in the bottom of the sixth, adding two more runs to extend the lead to 7-2. Brooke Zinken delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a two-run home run to center field. Zinken finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, leading the Trojans offensively.

The Trojans totaled 10 hits in the win, with multiple players producing at the plate. Briley Christensen and Kylan Sorenson each went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Dayana Miller also drove in a run. Richardson and McDonald added key RBI hits off the bench, showcasing Colby's depth.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer (7-3) delivered a strong complete-game effort, allowing just two runs on four hits across seven innings. The right-hander worked through five walks while striking out three, limiting damage and keeping Butler from building any sustained momentum. Defensively, Colby was sharp throughout, committing no errors behind Cramer. 

Game 2

Colby delivered one of its most thrilling wins of the season, outlasting Butler 10-9 in a battle that ended in walk-off fashion.

The Trojans wasted no time taking control, exploding for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kylan Sorenson got things started with a two-run single, Olivia Wirth followed with an RBI knock, and Emmy Supernor delivered the big swing with a two-run double, capping a five-hit inning that gave Colby a commanding early lead.

Butler chipped away over the middle innings, scoring single runs in the third, fourth, and sixth to cut into the deficit, but Colby continued to respond. In the fourth, Brooklynn Ekker added a solo home run to center field, and the Trojans carried an 8-3 lead into the final inning.

Then came the chaos. In the top of the seventh, Butler mounted a massive rally, scoring six runs on four hits while taking advantage of walks and defensive miscues to surge ahead 9-8. Kyler Demel delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a two-run single, part of a 3-for-4, 3 RBI performance, as the Grizzlies flipped the game late.

In the bottom of the seventh, Colby immediately put pressure on Butler's defense. The tying run came across on a Butler error, setting the stage for Brooke Zinken. With the game on the line, Zinken came through, lining a walk-off single to center field to score the winning run and complete the 10-9 victory.

Colby's offense was relentless all game, finishing with 10 runs on 15 hits. Zinken and Supernor each led the way with three hits, while Supernor drove in two runs. Ekker added two hits, including her home run, and Olivia Wirth went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Ava Pezely delivered in key moments from the bottom of the lineup, driving in a team-high three RBIs, while Ella McDonald also added a 2-for-3 performance. The Trojans recorded six multi-hit efforts, showcasing depth throughout the lineup.

In the circle, Katelyn Zukewich (2-4) turned in a gritty performance, working 6.1 innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out seven. She battled through traffic all afternoon, limiting Butler's ability to break the game open. Alison Nikolaus came on in relief during the seventh and navigated a tough inning before the offense delivered the final blow.

Butler finished with nine hits and eight walks, but stranded 19 runners on base, a key factor that allowed Colby to stay within striking distance despite the late rally.

In the end, it was Colby's ability to strike early and deliver in the biggest moment that sealed a dramatic walk-off win at home. They continue their homestand Saturday (March 21) with first pitch at 1 p.m. against Seward County.