Softball Splits, Knock Off No. 20 McCook in Colby

COLBY, Kan. - The Colby softball team split a competitive conference doubleheader on Thursday (April 9) against No. 20 McCook, showcasing both resilience and explosive offense across the two games. After dropping Game 1, the Trojans responded with a dominant performance in Game 2, highlighted by record-setting power at the plate and a strong complete-game effort in the circle to earn the split.

Game 1

The softball team fell behind early and couldn't recover Thursday afternoon, dropping a 12–3 decision to No. 20 McCook.

McCook struck first in the top of the opening inning, using a two-out single to plate the game's first run. Colby answered immediately in the bottom half, as Briley Christensen delivered a big swing with a two-run home run to center field, giving the Trojans a 2–1 lead after one inning.

The momentum shifted in the third inning, when McCook capitalized on free passes and timely execution to regain the lead at 3–2. That advantage only grew as the Indians continued to take advantage of control issues in the circle and defensive miscues by Colby. McCook added two runs in the fourth, four more in the fifth, and three in the sixth to pull away.

Christensen led the Trojans offensively, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs out of the three-hole. Olivia Wirth also contributed with a hit and an RBI, while Brooklynn Ekker and Brooke Zinken each added a hit. As a team, Colby finished with five hits in the contest.

In the circle, Katelyn Zukewich took the loss, tossing 4.2 innings while allowing five runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out five but issuing eight walks. Alison Nikolaus and Leone Suamatai'a combined to cover the final 1.1 innings, with McCook adding seven more runs late. In total, Colby pitchers surrendered 13 walks, which proved costly throughout the game.

Game 2

The Trojans team responded in a big way in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, riding a historic power surge and a dominant outing in the circle to defeat No. 20 McCook, 6–1.

Aly Richardson led the charge with a monster performance at the plate, blasting two home runs and driving in two runs to help propel the Trojans to victory. Her long balls in the fourth and sixth innings highlighted a record-setting day for Colby, as the team surpassed its previous single-season home run record of 58 that was set last season under head coach Jazmine Esparza.

McCook struck first in the top of the opening inning with a solo home run, but Colby quickly settled in and answered back. In the bottom of the third, Dayana Miller launched a two-run homer to left field, flipping the momentum and giving the Trojans a 2–1 lead they would not relinquish.

Colby continued to build on that advantage in the fourth when Richardson connected for her first home run of the day, a solo shot to center field. The Trojans then put the game out of reach in the sixth inning, erupting for three more runs behind back-to-back power swings from Brooklynn Ekker and Richardson, capping off a four-home run performance as a team.

Richardson and Ekker paced the offense with two hits apiece, while Miller finished with a team-high two RBIs. In total, Colby tallied seven hits, with timely power proving to be the difference.

In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer was outstanding, tossing a complete game to earn the win. The right-hander allowed just three hits and one run over seven innings, striking out two and walking one while keeping McCook's offense in check all afternoon. Defensively, the Trojans were sharp and clean, committing no errors and turning a double play to back up Cramer's strong outing.

After a tough Game 1 loss, Colby bounced back emphatically in the nightcap, combining dominant pitching with record-breaking power to secure the split in the doubleheader. The Trojans are set to return Saturday (April 11) against conference opponent Pratt in Colby with first pitch at 1 PM.