Trojans take 2 from Seward

The Trojans traveled to Seward County Communuity College to play three games in two days. Coming into the matchup the Trojans held the 7 seed in the conference with a 7-18 conference record. The first of the games was a resumption of the second game of the series taking place on Thursday, April 25th. The Trojans fell in a low scoring affair in the first game of the series 5-1. The second had to be paused due to severe thunderstorms, in which the game was paused 0-0 after 3 innings. Pitcher Jack Schroeder had thrown 45 pitches through those 3 innings. 

After 2 days rest Schroeder was ready to go at it again. When asked if there was any worry about starting up again Schroeder answered, " There wasn't really any worry ... the only thing I had to worry about was keeping my arm in shape".  He did just that as he went on to throw another 69 pitches through 6 innings in a complete game shutout. Such a rare feat has only been acomplished by 1 other pitcher in the conference this year (Bryce Chambers, Dodge City). Schroeder acheived this outing through a dominance in the strike zone. 79 out of the 114 pitcher were strikes with a 50% first strike percentage. Though only fanning 4 in this outing, his ability to create weak contact allowed him to stay on the mound. 

The offense was slow to start this game, the Trojans only creating 5 hits through the 9 innings with doubles from Isaiah Padilla and JJ Gines. The shutout continued until the first pitch of the ninth inning where outfielder Jacob Van Leeuwen hit a high deep drive to left field to give the Trojans their 1st walk off home run in the last two years. This was the third time the Trojans have walked off teams this year, the other 2 came at home vs Garden City. Van Leeuwen's approach in the last at bas was , " I was kind of mad after the call in the bottom of the 8th (Padilla thrown out at home) I just wanted to go in there and put a good swing on the ball and give us an opportunity to win the game". Van Leeuwen did just that as he gave the Trojans their only run of the game in the 1-0 victory. 

Van Leeuwen stayed hot in the second game of the day as he hit another home run contributing to Colby's 11 run performance. The Trojans jumped out to an 9 to 3 lead in the 6th inniong. The Trojans offensive surge can be contributed by 2 doubles from outfielder Gavin Shary as well as a Home run from Gavin Galenza. Ben Bohlman put together another impressive start this game throwing 5 innings and giving up only 2 earned runs. Over his last 19 innings Bohlman has only allowed 13 runs. The Saints attempted to make a comeback once Colby went to their bullpen, but this was stiffled short as Dayton Stamper came in the last inning as recorded a Save to give the Trojasns their 9th Conference Win. 

The Trojans Split the series vs Seward as the head into their last conference game. They play a midweek at McCook on Tuesday, April 30th, and then finish up conference play against Dodge City. The Trojans are currently slated to face Cowley County Community College in their first playoff series. The Tigers hold the 2 seed in the east with a 35-16 record. The Trojans look to stay hot as they end the year and make some noise in playoffs.