Broncbusters show fight against Colby

By Mike Pilosof

Garden City, KS-It is hard to quantify losses, but in a season where things have not gone the Broncbusters way, Monday showed that Becky Gundy's team is not that far off.

Colby swept Garden City 9-1 and 8-5 at Tangeman Sports Complex, handing the Broncbusters their fifth loss in their last six games. But it was they battled back in game two that proved more than the final scores could justify.

In game one, Garden City starter Samantha Akers gave up an RBI single in the first to Madison Shawver that put the Trojans up 1-0. That was until Garden City (14-32, 3-17) tied the game in the bottom half when Leisha Nakagawa knocked in Rebekah Roberts.

Colby (27-15, 12-8) slowly began to extend their lead in the second when Akers issues a bases-loaded walk that gave the Trojans the lead for good. Katie Adler's RBI groundout in the third made it 3-1 before the Trojans plated three more in the fourth, thanks to Shawver's run-scoring double and Motes RBI base hit. Colby also got some help when Vessels error at short allowed Kaitlynn Withers to come around.

The Trojans added a run in the fifth on Alexis Andersen's single and two more in the sixth when Angel Micciulli singled home two.

Garden City managed only six hits and recorded three more errors in the opener.

But game two, even in defeat, showed exactly how scrappy Gundy's team can be.

After Colby scored first in the first, Vessels knotted the contest in the bottom half with a line-drive RBI single to center. Once Colby took the lead again in the third, it was Nicole Milford, blasting a lead-off home run to begin the bottom slate. Garden City eventually built that lead to 4-2 on Taylore Hartman's RBI fielder's choice and Hannah Adams RBI single.

However; that advantage never stuck, thanks to Anderson, who took Desiree Perea deep for a two-run shot in the fourth to tie the game 4-4.

The score stayed that way until the sixth when the Trojans took control for good. Perea's error in the circle allowed two runs to come home before Vessels miscue at short pushed Madison Motes across. Micciulli followed with an RBI groundout, and Colby had an 8-4 advantage.

In the bottom half, Micaela Martinez, who has hit safely in 13 out of her last 17 games, hit a solo home run to begin the frame to cut the Trojans lead to three. But Kylee Burnside retired Shaylene Shepherd, Angel Jimenez and Milford to end the inning.

Garden City did not threaten again.

Courtney Hathaway picked up the win for Coby in relief, allowing just one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. Perea took the loss for Garden City, giving up six runs on six hits in 3 2/3.

Next up: Garden City vs. Butler, Wednesday, April 19-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.