Broncbusters Drop 16-14 Slugfest at Colby, Earn Split on the Road

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

Colby, KS – Garden City Community College delivered a strong offensive performance but could not overcome a pair of big innings from Colby Community College, falling 16-14 in a high-scoring Game 2 of a conference doubleheader Friday.

The Broncbusters (22-18, 9-9) pounded out 16 hits and scored in five different innings, but Colby answered with 20 hits of its own, using a six-run third inning and a four-run fifth to take control of a back-and-forth contest.

Garden City struck first in the opening inning as Maiarangi Waipara delivered an RBI single to score Danna Viera, but Colby quickly responded with a five-run bottom half to grab early momentum.

The Broncbusters answered in a big way in the second inning, plating six runs to reclaim the lead. Viera highlighted the frame with a three-run home run, while Averie Ashford and Skylah Breeze Joyce each drove in runs as Garden City surged in front, 7-5.

After Colby added a run in the second, Garden City continued to apply pressure in the third. Izzy Foster launched a solo home run before Maysen Kurene-Iwikau followed with a two-run blast, extending the lead to 10-6.

Colby, however, responded with its biggest inning of the game in the bottom of the third, scoring six runs on six hits to swing the momentum back in its favor and take a 12-10 lead.

Garden City chipped away throughout the middle innings. Jade Hendrix drove in a run in the fourth, and the Broncbusters added three more in the sixth inning behind RBI hits from Viera and Hendrix along with a run-scoring play off a Colby error to pull within 16-14.

Despite the late push, Garden City was unable to complete the comeback as Colby held off the rally over the final inning.

Viera led the offensive effort with a standout performance, going 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBI. Foster added three hits, including a home run and a double, while driving in two runs. Kurene-Iwikau also homered and finished with two RBI, and Hendrix contributed two hits and two RBI in a balanced lineup effort.

Key moment
Colby's six-run third inning erased a Garden City lead and shifted momentum in a game that featured multiple lead changes.

Key stat
The two teams combined for 30 runs and 36 hits, with Garden City recording 16 hits in the loss.

Up next
Garden City returns home to face Dodge City Community College in a conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 8, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.