Colby wins two over Garden City

By Mike Pilosof

Garden City, KS-Colby swept a doubleheader from Garden City 4-3 and 12-2 Sunday afternoon at Tangeman Sports Complex.

In a pitcher's duel in game one, the Trojans struck first when Katie Adler stroked an RBI double in the second to put Colby (29-7, 12-4) up 1-0.

The Broncbusters responded in the fourth. Devin Hernandez and Hannah Adams both reached on errors before Jessy Ortiz singled them home. After reigning National Player of the Week Erica Vessels got on because of Alexis Kagan's miscue at third, Alyssa Dilley looped a run-scoring single to push Garden City ahead 3-1.

But the lead did not last long. In the top of the fifth. Samantha Akers surrendered a one-out single to Lanessa Amador; then gave up a couple of two-out hits: the first to Katelin Eastman that brought a run across; the other-a hot-shot double to left by cleanup hitter Marissa Croft that brought Eastman around, and put the Trojans up 4-3.

Trailing by one going into the seventh, the Broncbusters had life once Bailee Muxlow-Volk hit a one-out single. But with the tying run on, Ariel Denney and Bailey Brawner grounded out to end the game.

Akers threw 113 pitches in the loss. She allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out five in seven innings. Brawner collected two hits and Ortiz knocked in two runs for Garden City.

Cassi Clouse got the win for Colby, not allowing a single earned run in seven innings. She fanned four and walked two. Croft was 2-for-4 at the plate, and Eastman drove in two runs.

The difference in game two was one inning that got away.

With Garden City down 3-1 going into the sixth, Denney gave up a single to Jaycie George and a walk to Adler. In fact, the first four Trojans reached in the inning once Paige Farnsworth and Haley Fox ripped back-to-back RBI singles. An error by Denney and singles by Kaitlynn Withers and Kagan put Colby up 9-1. The Trojans added three more runs, spearheaded by Adler's two-run double and Adams' error at second base. In the end, Colby scored 9 runs on seven hits and took advantage of two Broncbuster miscues in the frame.

Denney pitched five innings for the Broncbusters, giving up 11 runs on 11 hits. She tossed 95 pitches before Marissa Montiel relieved her. Vessels and Ortiz drove in the two runs for Becky Gundy's team.

Mahelani Haeggele got the win for Colby, allowing just one earned run on four hits in five innings. She struck out four and walked two. Withers, Kagan and Adler each collected two hits.

Next up: Garden City vs. Trinidad State-Monday, April 9-2 p.m. and 4 p.m.