Garden City Drops Tournament Opener to Dodge City

Photo by: Adam Shrimplin/Garden City Athletics

DODGE CITY, KS – Garden City Community College scratched across an early run but could not slow down Dodge City Community College, falling 11-1 in five innings Friday in Game 1 of the 2026 NJCAA Division I Softball Plains District Tournament at Legends Park.

The Broncbusters (28-27) were held without a hit in the postseason opener despite drawing five walks, while Dodge City capitalized on timely hitting and a dominant fourth inning to take control in the double-elimination tournament matchup.

Garden City manufactured its lone run in the top of the third inning. Jade Hendrix worked a two-out walk before advancing around the bases on a pair of Dodge City errors and eventually scoring on a wild pitch, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

Dodge City answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Jordyn Boxberger singled through the left side before Sophie Faidley followed with an RBI single up the middle to extend the Conquistadors' lead back to two runs.

The Conquistadors broke through earlier in the second inning with a pair of runs. Karen Galaviz delivered an RBI single down the right field line before Cadie McCracken added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.

Dodge City then put the game away with an eight-run fourth inning. Galaviz opened the scoring in the frame with a solo home run before Loren Sweat and Kloe Nelson each delivered two-run doubles during the rally. The Conquistadors finished with 11 hits and scored in three different innings.

Garden City threatened in the fifth after Danna Viera drew a walk and Jade Hendrix reached on a fielder's choice, but the Broncbusters were unable to push another run across.

Karli George earned the win for Dodge City, tossing a five-inning no-hitter with five strikeouts while allowing one unearned run. Skylah Breeze Joyce took the loss for Garden City after allowing five runs in three innings of work.

Key moment
Dodge City's eight-run fourth inning turned a competitive 3-1 game into a run-rule victory, highlighted by three extra-base hits and six runs scored before the Broncbusters recorded the first out of the frame.

Key stat
Garden City was held hitless for the game, while Dodge City finished with 11 hits, including a home run and three doubles.

Up next
Garden City will face Seward County in an elimination game at the 2026 NJCAA Division I Softball Plains District Tournament in Dodge City.