Trojans close fall ball with encouraging growth ahead of spring season

by Derek White

November 6, 2026

Colby’s Trey Schroeder delivers a pitch during fall ball action at Young Memorial Field. The sophomore right-hander was part of a Trojan staff that continued to develop depth and consistency throughout the fall season.

The Colby Community College baseball team wrapped up its fall exhibition schedule showing flashes of promise and growth across a busy slate of competition. Though the games didn’t count toward official standings, Head Coach Ryan Carter said the Trojans used the fall to build depth, strengthen their defensive identity, and test a roster filled with returning contributors and talented newcomers.

Colby opened the fall with a pair of strong showings against Otero College, winning both contests 9-5 and 3-2. The Trojans then split results in a tripleheader at the Homefield Baseball Complex in Kansas City, tying Metropolitan Community College 6-6 before falling 0-7 to Southeastern Community College. The following day, Colby dropped a 2-7 decision to Garden City Community College.

Momentum returned quickly, however, as the Trojans claimed back-to-back wins at the Kansas Wesleyan Jamboree, defeating Lamar Community College 6-2 and Northeastern Junior College 11-7. The middle portion of the schedule included road doubleheaders at McCook and Garden City, where the Trojans fell short in four straight contests against established programs.

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Colby bounced back late in the month with its best stretch of the fall. The Trojans swept McCook in two games at Young Memorial Field, winning 11-9 and 5-1, then battled NCAA Division II Fort Hays State in a 17-14 slugfest that showcased the team’s offensive potential. The fall concluded on October 24 with a tough loss at Metro State University in Denver, where Colby fell 39-7 in a high-scoring exhibition.

Coach Carter said the team took major strides despite the mixed record.

“I think we will play really good defense and should be a lot tougher outs,” Carter said. “Our ability to extend at-bats is a lot better than past years.”

Among the standouts this fall were sophomore Turner Zdunich, last season’s KJCCC Freshman of the Year, and a deep crop of new arms that impressed on the mound. Carter highlighted right-handers Anthony Deblois and Pedro Carrillo as key contributors, noting Carrillo’s “great fall” and Deblois’ explosiveness both as a pitcher and outfielder. Freshman Jacob Reichstein from Hastings, Nebraska, also drew praise after what Carter called “an eye-opening fall.”

Colby’s Turner Zdunich connects for a home run during fall ball action at Young Memorial Park. The returning KJCCC Freshman of the Year continued to showcase his power at the plate, providing a spark for the Trojan offense this fall.

The Trojans will now turn their focus toward winter development as they prepare for the 2026 spring season, which opens in February with a series at Western Oklahoma State College.

With a mix of returning leaders and young talent, Carter said this group has the tools to be competitive when conference play begins. “We’ve got the right pieces to compete,” he said. “If we keep improving like we have this fall, we’ll be ready when the games start to count.”