OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 8-ranked Johnson County baseball team opened conference play this weekend against Noesho County and came away with a series sweep over the Panthers. On Saturday in Chanute, the Cavaliers won 1-0 and 11-1, and followed up on Sunday at JCCC wins of 8-2 and 7-2, upping their season record to 18-6. 

In the opener on Saturday, both teams were strong on the bump, but JCCC sophomore right-hander Ryan Borberg proved to be best. 

The transfer from Illinois State surrendered just three singles while striking out eight batters to earn the complete game shutout victory. With the win, Borberg improved to 3-0 on the season. 

Freshman left fielder Jake McClure set the tone at the top of the order, leading the Cavaliers with two hits in four at bats, including an RBI single in the top of the second for the game's only run. With two outs center fielder Jesse Tisdell doubled and came around score on McClure's single. 

In the second game, sophomore designated hitter Dagen Brewer led the way with three hits, three RBI and two runs scored. He doubled in the first, singled in the fourth and homered over the right field fence in the sixth two drive in two runs.

Johnson County collected 18 hits in the game. In addition to Brewer's multi-hit effort, second baseman Jack Mosh and catcher Kyle Hepburn also collected three hits. Right fielder Miken Miller and Tisdell each collected two hits. 

Johnson County took control of the game in the top of the second inning plating eight runs. After the leadoff batter struck out, the next seven CCC batters reach base off a double, five singles and a walk.  McClure's single drove in two runs in the inning. Mosh, Hepburn, third baseman Jordan Black and outfielder Ryker Edwards each had one RBI in the inning. 

On the hill, freshman right-hander Brandon Stone struck out 11 batters over seven innings. He allowed just two hits, one earned run and did not walk a batter.  Sophomore righty Brody Bunting hurled a perfect final inning in relief, striking out two hitters. 

With the series moving to JCCC on Sunday, Brewer again had the hot bat for the Cavaliers. He went 3-for-4 and drove four runners. He belted a two-run homer to right field in the first, doubled in the third scoring a run and had an RBI single in the fourth. 

Hepburn also homered in the game, blasting a three-run shot in the bottom of the fourth inning. 

Other key performers were freshman shortstop Maddux Fleck with two singles, a double, a walk and four runs scored, and Mosh with two singles and an RBI. 

Sophomore right-hander John Chambers earned the win, surrendering just two hits, two run and five strikeouts over the first four innings. Sophomore right-hander Maddox Burkitt threw three innings of scoreless ball for the Cavaliers. He surrendered zero hits, striking out four and walking two to pick up his first save of the season and fifth of his career. 

Johnson County completed the sweep with a 7-2 win. Freshman right-hander Josiah Golden was dominant on the bump, ringing up 10 strikeouts over six innings. He allowed just six hits and two runs. 

Freshman right-hander Sam Novotny and sophomore right-hander Austin Berggren logged three innings of scoreless relief to close out the game. 

The top of the order was key to the Cavaliers victory. McClure, Fleck and Mosh collected seven hits and scored five of JCCC's seven runs. 

Brewer, Miller, Black, Mosh and freshman first baseman Easton Roe each drove in a run.