Softball Closes Regular Season with Four-Game Set Against Dodge City

Colby Trojans softball dropped both ends of a home doubleheader to Dodge City on Friday (May 1), falling 12-3 in Game 1 and 6-2 in Game 2. The Trojans then hit the road for a Saturday (May 2) doubleheader in Dodge City to close out the regular season, where they bounced back to split the series finale.

Game 1

The opener remained tight through the early innings before Dodge City used a late offensive surge to pull away.

Colby struck first in the third inning, taking advantage of early momentum. Kylan Sorenson led the way at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, while Ashlynn Pavlov and Ella McDonald each drove in runs to give the Trojans a brief edge. In the circle, Cheyenne Cramer kept Dodge City quiet through the first few innings, allowing just one run through four frames. Dodge City broke through in the fourth to even the game at 1-1, but the contest remained within reach heading into the later innings.

The turning point came in the sixth. Dodge City erupted for seven runs in the inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and defensive miscues. The Conquistadors added four more runs in the seventh, highlighted by a lineup that produced five home runs in the game, including long balls from Karen Galaviz, Avery McCloskey, Riley Moore, Loren Sweat, and Sophie Faidley.

Despite the final score, Colby continued to battle offensively. The Trojans collected six hits, with Pavlov adding an RBI and McDonald contributing a pinch-hit RBI knock. Brooke Zinken and Ava Pezely were aggressive on the basepaths, each recording a stolen base.

Cramer was charged with nine runs (two earned) over 6.2 innings while striking out six, as defensive errors played a key role in extending innings for Dodge City.

Game 2

Game 2 followed a similar script, with Colby staying within striking distance before Dodge City pulled away late.

The Conquistadors opened the scoring in the second inning, then added two more runs in the fifth to build a 3-0 lead. Colby responded in the bottom half of the fifth with its best offensive inning of the game. Emmy Supernor reached base and came around to score, while Briley Christensen delivered a clutch two-RBI double off the top of the wall to cut the deficit to 3-2. Olivia Wirth and Brooklynn Ekker also contributed multi-hit efforts, each finishing with two hits to pace the offense.

However, Dodge City answered once again in the final inning, plating three runs in the seventh to extend the lead. Sophie Faidley added a home run in the contest, while Loren Sweat drove in two runs as part of an 11-hit performance for Dodge City.

Katelyn Zukewich went the distance in the circle for Colby, allowing six runs (two earned) while striking out eight. Much like Game 1, defensive errors proved costly, with three miscues leading to extended opportunities for Dodge City.

Game 3

Colby then wrapped up the series on the road Saturday, falling to Dodge City 12-2 in a run-rule shortened contest in Game 1 of the doubleheader.

The Trojans came out with early energy, striking first in the top of the opening inning. Olivia Wirth and Briley Christensen each reached and came around to score, giving Colby a quick 2-0 lead and early momentum.

Dodge City responded with a big bottom half of the first inning, erupting for 10 runs on six hits and taking advantage of four walks and defensive miscues. The Conquistadors capitalized on nearly every opportunity, stringing together extra-base hits and timely contact to flip the game completely in their favor.

Karen Galaviz delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a three-run home run, while Loren Sweat, Jordyn Boxberger, and Kloe Nelson each contributed RBIs during the rally. By the end of the first inning, Dodge City had turned a two-run deficit into a commanding 10-2 lead. Dodge City added two more runs in the second inning to extend the lead to 12-2. Colby's pitching staff settled in after the early surge, with Katelyn Zukewich providing 3.2 innings of relief while allowing just three runs (two earned) and striking out three.

Offensively, Colby was limited to five hits on the day. Wirth, Christensen, Emmy Supernor, Brooklynn Ekker, and Dayana Miller each recorded a hit, with Supernor adding a double. Despite putting the leadoff runner on in multiple innings, the Trojans were unable to generate additional scoring after the first.

Dodge City's pitching duo of Karli George and Shyann Clark combined to hold Colby scoreless over the final four innings, allowing just three hits the rest of the way.

The game was called after five innings due to the run-rule, as Dodge City secured the series sweep.

Game 4

Colby closed out the series on a high note, earning a 4-1 victory over Dodge City behind a complete team performance and a dominant outing in the circle from Cheyenne Cramer.

After a tough stretch in the first three games, the Trojans flipped the script in the finale, combining timely hitting and lockdown pitching to secure the win on the road.

The game remained scoreless through the first two innings before Colby broke through in the third. Ava Pezely helped spark the offense, finishing 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Briley Christensen added a 2-for-4 performance of her own with an RBI.

Colby created separation in the fourth inning, putting together its most complete offensive frame of the day. The Trojans plated three runs on a string of quality at-bats and aggressive baserunning. Kylan Sorenson delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving in two runs, while Christensen and Pezely continued to apply pressure at the top of the lineup.

In total, Colby tallied nine hits, with multiple players contributing. Brooklynn Ekker added a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, while Sorenson also recorded an extra-base hit.

The offensive support was more than enough for Cramer, who turned in one of her strongest performances of the season. The right-hander went 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while striking out eight. She worked through traffic at times, issuing five walks, but consistently came up with key outs to limit damage.

Dodge City's only run came in the sixth inning, but Colby quickly shut down any momentum. Katelyn Zukewich entered in relief and closed the door, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings to secure the victory.

Dodge City was limited to just two hits in the afternoon, as Colby's pitching staff kept the Conquistadors off balance throughout the game.

With the regular season now complete, the Trojans closed out conference play having faced one of the top teams in the region. The team finished .500 (27-27, 18-14 KJCCC) and will now turn its focus to postseason play, as the Trojans are set to open the KJCCC Region 6 Tournament on Friday (May 8) in Dodge City. As it stands, Colby will enter as the No. 4 seed and face No. 5 Barton in Game 2 at 12 p.m. on Field 2.