OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – After finishing the top-10 in each of the last two NJCAA Division II National Tournaments, the Johnson County Community College softball program has been tabbed the 2019 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference D-II favorite to win the title.
Cowley College was picked second followed by Highland Community College, Labette Community College, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Allen Community College, Fort Scott Community College, Neosho County Community College, Cloud County Community College, Coffeyville Community College and Hesston College.
Head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens returns eight players from last year's squad, including four All-District selections and one all-conference performer.
One of the top returnees is pitcher/first baseman Kerrigan Dixon of Maize, Kan. Dixon was selected honorable mention All-KJCCC D-II and first-team All-District D after batting .391 (50-for-128) with 24 runs, 10 doubles, a triple, three home runs and a team-best 39 driven in. She also led the team in total hits, ranked second in average and tied for second in home runs. She collected 14 multiple-hit games and 11 multiple-RBI games. In the circle, Dixon posted a 15-8 mark with 59 strikeouts in 135.0 innings and a 3.42 earned run average.
Infielder Alli Heiman, catcher/utility player Kerry Murphy and pitcher/utility player Kelsy Orender all earned second-team All-District D honors. Heiman hit at a .275 clip (30-for-109) with five doubles, a home run, 24 runs scored and 18 driven in. She has six multi-hit games, and three multi-RBI games.
Muprhy batted .328 (21-for-64) with nine doubles, a home run, 10 runs scored and 20 driven in. She has seven multi-hit and four multi-RBI games. She also posted a .953 fielding percentage, committing just two errors in 43 fielding chances.
Orender hit .344 (22-for-64) with five doubles, two triples, a home run, nine runs scored and 19 driven in. She has six multi-hit and four multi-RBI games. She made just two appearances in the circle.
Other returnees are utility player Allie Beswick (.059/3-RBI), infielder/outfielder Torey Burkhart (.286/1-RBI), first baseman/outfielder Jordan Clough (.273/6-RBI), and shortstop Manny Johansen (.281/3-RBI).
Joining these eight returning players are 11 newcomers, all who are expected to challenge for key innings in 2019.
The softball season is set to begin February 15-16 at the Cowtown Classic in Fort Worth, Texas. The open at home on Sunday, March 3 against Iowa Western Community College, and open conference play at Allen Community College Saturday, March 16.