OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 8-ranked Johnson County Community College softball team opened its 2024 season 1-3 in Dennison, Texas last weekend.

The Lady Cavaliers opened the season with a 6-5 loss to Eastern Oklahoma State College on Friday, February 9, followed by a 15-7 setback to Vernon College. JCCC earned its first victory on Saturday, February 10 downing Western Oklahoma State College 11-7 and capped the trip with a narrow 3-1 loss to Paris Junior College.

Freshman third baseman Aspen Burgardt got her career off to a solid start. In her first collegiate at bat, Burghardt belted a home run to center field. She also had a single and triple leaving her just double shy of hitting for a cycle. She kept her hot bat rolling finishing the weekend with a .700 average (7-for-10), with two doubles, a triple, home run, three runs and four driven in. 

For her efforts, Burghardt was selected the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference D-II Softball Player of the Week. 

Sophomore first baseman Kate Ediger, outfielder Taryn Burkhardt, catcher Hannah Archdekin and outfielder Eve Morris also got of impressive starts to the 2024 season. 

Ediger hit .571 (8-for14) over the weekend with four doubles, two walks, two stolen bases, two runs and two RBI.  Burkhardt hit .357 (5-for-14) with two doubles, a triple, three walks, three runs and a run driven in. Archdekin hit at a .385 clip (5-for-13) with two doubles, three runs and two RBI and Morris batted .308 (4-for-13) with double, home run, three driven in.

As a team, Johnson County ripped 17 extra base hits highlighted by 13 doubles. The hit .352 as a team. 

The Lady Cavaliers will host two doubleheaders next week. They open with a twin bill against Iowa Central Community College on Monday, February 19 with first pitch scheduled for noon. On Wednesday, February 21, Barton Community College comes to town with the opening pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.