Broncbusters Fall in Game 1 as Colby Capitalizes Early
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 13 | 0 |
|
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics
Garden City, KS – Garden City Community College could not overcome early damage from Colby Community College, falling 9-3 in Game 1 of a home doubleheader Thursday.
The Broncbusters were limited to six hits on the afternoon while Colby capitalized on key swings, including multiple home runs, to build and maintain control throughout.
Colby struck first in the opening inning, taking advantage of an error before Turner Zdunich delivered an RBI single to make it 1-0. The Trojans added to their lead in the second when Jacob Mraz singled home a run to extend the advantage to 2-0.
The biggest blow came in the third inning as Colby used the long ball to break things open. Charlie Langford led off with a solo home run before Anthony Deblois followed later in the inning with a two-run shot, pushing the lead to 5-1.
Garden City answered in the bottom of the first, manufacturing a run as Aiden Roberts scored on a passed ball after reaching base and advancing into scoring position. However, the Broncbusters struggled to generate consistent offense over the middle innings, going scoreless from the second through the sixth.
Colby added insurance in the sixth with a two-run frame, highlighted by an RBI sacrifice fly from Jacob Mraz and an RBI single from Caden Clifford, extending the lead to 7-1.
The Trojans tacked on two more runs in the seventh, including a two-run home run from Callum Thomson, one of which was unearned, to make it 9-1.
Garden City showed late life in the bottom of the seventh. Mason Tafoya and Roy Higinbotham each recorded singles to spark the rally, and Aiden Roberts delivered a two-run single to plate both runs and cut the deficit to 9-3. The rally was halted there, as Colby closed out the game.
Roberts led the Broncbusters offensively with a multi-RBI performance, while Tafoya and Higinbotham each added hits in the final inning push.
Key moment
Colby's three-run third inning, powered by two home runs, created early separation and set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Key stat
Colby finished with 13 hits, including three home runs, while limiting Garden City to six hits and just one extra-base opportunity.