Cam Marshak Hits for the Cycle, But Colby Falls in 23-22 Thriller vs. McCook

by Derek White

If you like wild baseball games, Monday’s matchup between Colby and McCook at Young Memorial Field was one for the books. Despite a historic night from Cam Marshak who hit for the cycle, the Colby Trojans came up just short in a 23-22 loss that had everything: offense, comebacks, and a whole lot of drama.

Let’s start with Marshak. The guy was unstoppable. He doubled in the second, singled in the fifth, tripled in the sixth, and crushed a solo home run to right in the seventh. It was a textbook cycle, and he made it look easy. But even that wasn't enough to keep McCook from stealing the game late.

Cam Marshak having a great day batting for the Trojans against McCook, picking up the cycle.

McCook got on the board early with a run in the top of the first, then dropped four more in the second thanks to RBI doubles from Nathan Hutchison and Cory Wouters. Colby responded immediately in the bottom of the second, erupting for eight runs on seven hits. Matthew Murray delivered the big blow, a three-RBI single that put Colby on top.

From there, the game turned into a slugfest.

Matthew Murray putting in work for the Trojans against McCook

Colby added a run in the third, but Wouters brought McCook back with a three-run homer in the fourth. The fifth inning was a whirlwind: McCook scored eight to go up 16-9, but Colby came roaring back with five of their own, powered by a Carson Cassidy two-run blast and a couple of key errors by McCook.

Carson Cassidy batting for the Trojans against McCook

In the sixth, Wouters wasn’t done, he smashed his second homer of the night, this time to center, and McCook tacked on two more. Colby tied things up in the bottom half with a solo shot from Charlie Langford, Marshak’s RBI triple, and another defensive miscue.

By the seventh, Colby had the momentum. Tyler Smith and Marshak both went yard, putting the Trojans ahead 22-18. It looked like they might pull off the win, until McCook’s final act in the top of the ninth.

With two hits and some timely walks, McCook scratched across five runs in the ninth. The go-ahead moment came when Ben Heathcock launched a two-run homer to right field, giving McCook the lead for good.

Pitching-wise, it was a tough night for both squads. Colby starter Jaxon MacDonald gave up five runs (only one earned) in three innings. Lucas John took the loss after giving up two in the ninth. Offensively, Colby still put up numbers , 17 hits and 12 walks. Murray and Smith each had three RBIs, and Mraz reached base four times and stole two bases..

McCook also had 17 hits, and Wouters was nearly untouchable, going 6-for-6 with eight RBIs. Hutchison, Heathcock, and Berg added multi-hit games, and the entire lineup showed patience at the plate.

Jaxon MacDonald on the mound for the Trojans throwing to McCook

Next up, Colby hits the road to face Barton Community College on April 3. After a game like this, they’ll be hungry to bounce back, and fans should definitely stay tuned.