Colby Trojans Fall to Butler in Doubleheader at Home

by Derek White

The Colby Community College Trojans faced a tough challenge on Saturday, April 12, when they took on Butler in a doubleheader at home. Despite strong individual performances, Colby was unable to come out on top, falling 4-2 in the first game and 6-5 in a dramatic extra-innings thriller in the second. Butler’s timely hitting and solid pitching proved to be the difference makers, but the Trojans showed resilience throughout the day.

Game 1: Butler Edges Colby, 4-2

In the first game of the day, Butler wasted no time establishing an early lead. In the top of the first inning, Kyrsten Moran’s single brought in the first run of the game, and Butler added another later in the inning to make it 2-0. Colby struggled to find offensive rhythm early on, but Tess Polad gave the Trojans a spark in the bottom of the third, blasting a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to 2-1.

Giovana Villalobos-Carrillo pitched five solid innings for Colby, surrendering four hits and three runs while striking out three and walking two. Butler’s pitcher, Chloe Odle, matched Villalobos-Carrillo’s effort, allowing just one run on three hits over four innings, striking out three and walking two. Despite Colby’s strong pitching and defensive performance, with no errors committed and Kylan Sorenson leading the team with 10 defensive plays, they couldn’t fully overcome Butler’s early lead.

Colby’s offense, though solid, couldn’t get enough going to claim the lead. Polad’s home run was the only offense that resulted in a run, while Briley Christensen, Bailey Jackson, Jenna Funk, and Brooklyn Ekker each contributed one hit. In the end, the Trojans came up short, falling 4-2.

Game 2: Butler Wins 6-5 in Extra Innings

The second game was a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Butler struck first in the third inning when Alana Proskow’s fielder’s choice allowed Moran to score. Colby responded in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on a Butler error that allowed two runs to cross, giving the Trojans a 2-1 lead.

Butler regained the advantage in the sixth inning, with Kyler Demel’s single driving in two runs to make it 3-2. Colby quickly countered in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 4-3 lead after Polad and Sofia Valenti each singled in a run.

The drama continued in the seventh when Butler’s Kim Yepez hit a solo home run to tie the game at 4-4. The game remained tied through the eighth and ninth innings, sending the game into extra innings.

In the bottom of the tenth, Colby had an opportunity to win, with Mia Rauzi’s double helping the Trojans tie the game at 5. But in the eleventh inning, Moran’s single gave Butler a 6-5 lead, which Colby could not overcome.

Proskow started for Colby, allowing three hits and one unearned run over five innings. Rauzi and Polad were the stars at the plate, each collecting two hits. Paige Pierce led the team with two RBIs. Butler’s Moran and Kory Schoenfeld each contributed three hits in the game.

Looking Ahead

Despite the tough losses, Colby showed resilience in both games, and key players like Polad, Rauzi, and Pierce continue to lead the team offensively. As the Trojans prepare for their next game against the Blue Dragons on Wednesday, they will look to build on their solid pitching and offensive efforts. With continued improvements, Colby hopes to bounce back and keep their momentum going throughout the season.