Colby Trojans Dominate Doubleheader Against Pratt

by Derek White

The Colby Community College Trojans softball team brought the heat and swept both games of their doubleheader against Pratt on Monday, notching wins of 5–1 and 6–4. With explosive hitting, aggressive base running, and solid performances in the circle, Colby showed exactly why they’re a team to watch this season.

The Trojans struck hard in the bottom of the third and never looked back. Tess Polad got the fireworks started with a solo shot to center field. Just a few batters later, Hailey Buttshaw delivered a sacrifice fly to plate another run. Then, Jenna Funk launched a two-run homer to left field, giving Colby a commanding 4–0 lead in a single inning.

Bailey Jackson added a cherry on top in the fifth with a solo home run of her own, extending the lead and putting the game further out of reach.

In the circle, Giovana Villalobos-Carrillo was sharp, tossing 3.2 shutout innings while allowing only two hits and striking out four. Amia Alexander-Sims came in for relief, keeping Pratt’s offense in check to seal the win.

Offensively, Polad shined with two hits and multiple stolen bases, showcasing her speed and bat control from the lower half of the lineup. Funk drove in two key runs and proved to be a force in the heart of the order. Colby’s speed was also on display with five stolen bases, led by Polad and Brooklyn Ekker.

Game two saw more early action from the Trojans. In the first inning, Polad picked up right where she left off, blasting another homer to center. A groundout by Kylan Sorenson brought in a second run, giving Colby a quick 2–0 lead.

Mia Rauzi continued the offensive push in the second with a double that drove in a run, and Tiffani Mein followed up in the third with a clutch RBI double to make it 4–0. But Pratt battled back, tying the game in the fourth inning after capitalizing on a few timely hits and a miscue.

Colby didn’t flinch. In the bottom of the fourth, Polad once again delivered—this time with a go-ahead RBI single. That momentum carried through as the Trojans added another insurance run and locked it down from there.

Katelyn Zukewich was stellar in relief, giving up just one hit over 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out four and walking one. Jacee Hammon handled the early innings, limiting damage and keeping Colby in position to win.

Colby racked up 12 hits in game two, led by Rauzi’s perfect 3-for-3 day. Polad went 2-for-4 with another pair of RBIs, giving her a total of four on the day. Mein, Sorenson, and Funk all added multi-hit games, rounding out a deep and dangerous lineup. Defensively, the Trojans were flawless again—zero errors—with Sofia Valenti leading the way with eight fielding plays.

With the sweep, the Colby Trojans are riding high and building serious momentum. They’ll return home on Wednesday to face Fort Hays Tech Northwest in what promises to be another exciting matchup.