They’re competitive, but Turner Zdunich says there is no sibling rivalry between he and his three brothers.
That being said, he may still be reveling in the fact that he has eclipsed his older brother, Tucker, in a couple of career milestones at Colby Community College.
Over the course of three seasons (one shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic), the elder Zdunich hit .317 with 20 home runs and 86 runs batted in over 119 games with the Trojans.
With two weeks left in his second spring at Colby, Turner now has a career batting average of .386 to go along with 22 round trippers and 103 RBI in 97 games.
While there might be some friendly ribbing around the family dinner table during special occasions, the younger brother is quick to give credit where its due.
“Tucker gave me tonnes of advice and it was all very helpful,” Zdunich told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast.
“He kept me comfortable with school and ball stuff, and just gave me the expectation there is in college and how things work.”
It’s that brotherly advice, along with a team-first mentality, that continues to guide the young utilityman as he looks to his future and potential four-year school opportunities.
BIG CLEATS TO FILL
With four boys growing up loving sports all in the same household, you would expect to hear about nothing but pandemonium.
But Zdunich says life on the farm near High River wasn’t all that intense, as it was more of a true blue brotherhood with Tucker, Tyler and Tanner.
“I think our family is more based on just helping each other out and just trying to make each of us better than the other one,” he said.
“I’ve definitely learned a lot from all my brothers and I really appreciate them with all their help they have given me over the years.”
Following in the same path as Tucker – who later went onto star at Reinhardt University and is now playing professionally with the London Majors – Zdunich went to Dawgs Academy in Okotoks to take his baseball skills to the next level.
“They turned us into great young men over there,” he said.
“We worked hard and, compared with other high schools I’ve heard of, the Dawgs are definitely elite and top of the game.”
The move paid off, as the pitcher and outfielder earned a commitment to Colby.
A COLLEGE STAR IS BORN
To say that Zdunich had a breakout freshman season with the Trojans feels like a major understatement.
At the plate, he hit .407 with nine homers and 57 RBI in 55 games, while posting a 3-4 record with a 4.17 earned-run average and 39 strikeouts in 14 appearances as a pitcher.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound southpaw earned numerous accolades, including Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference West Division Freshman of the Year, West Division First Team, and All-KJCCC Second Team.
A Canadian Baseball Network All-Canadian Third Team and a member of the 2025 ADS All-College Team, Zdunich was modest about all the attention he was getting.
“I just stuck to my approach at the plate and on the mound,” he said.
“I got help from coaches and worked a lot on the mound, which helped me throughout the season.”
Zdunich admits he was nervous early on but found his stride as he got more comfortable in his new surroundings away from home.
MODEL OF CONSISTENCY
With the bar set very high heading into sophomore season, Zdunich says he wanted to focus on staying consistent and getting stronger.
He started working on that goal last summer as he suited up with the Western Canadian Baseball League’s Saskatoon Berries, posting a .171 average with five RBI and five stolen bases in 25 games while going 1-0 with an 8.30 ERA in seven games on the mound.
While the numbers weren’t overly flattering, it gave him some insights on what to work on to face higher level talent.
Through his first 42 games back at Colby, Zdunich is hitting .358 with 13 dingers and 46 RBI, and while his average has dipped slightly, his walks have increased from 18 to 28, meaning his on-base percentage has stayed consistent (.472 in 2025 and .476 in 2026).
The Trojans will finish off their regular season on May 1 before the quest for the NJCAA World Series begins.
In the meantime, the KJCCC West Division Player of the Week for April 13-20 is weighing his options for the summer ahead as well as his future school plans.
And maybe the biggest question of them all: will he continue to be a two-way player?
“I’m definitely game to do both as long as they let me,” Zdunich said. “I’d say I’ve become more of a hitter, but yeah, whatever works.”
So far, so good for a young man who is enjoying every minute of his baseball journey, including some bragging rights over his older brother.
