OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County softball team, which received votes in this week's NJCAA D-II Rankings, earned a split with Iowa Western on Wednesday afternoon. The Lady Cavaliers posted 12-0 win to open the two-game series, then dropped the second game 5-2.

In the opener, JCCC plated all 12 runs in the second inning. The Lady Cavaliers brought 15 batters to the plate, collected nine of the 11 hits, including five of their six extra base hits. 

Jordan Harrison and Emma Smith each belted a two run home run. Kaylee Limback and Eve Morris hit two-run doubles and Emma Smith and Kate Ediger had a two-run singles. Gaige Pinkerton had an RBI double, and Taryn Burkchart and Toree Hoobler collected RBI singles. 

Harrison, who earlier in the week was named KJCCC D-II Pitcher of the Week, picked up the victory. She allowed a single and a double, walked a batter and struck out three in four innings in the circle.  Deja Gardenhire pitched a scoreless fifth to close out the game. 

In the final game, Iowa Western posted a big inning, scoring all five of their runs in the top of the fifth. Johnson County cut into their lead with two runs in the sixth, but that would be all the offense they could muster. 

Ediger led JCCC with two singles and an RBI. Pinkerton also collected an RBI single.

Maggie McNally took the loss. She allowed five runs, two earned, two hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. She also struck out seven batters. 

Harrison hurled the final 2.2 inning, allowing just a single and a walk with three strikeouts. 

Johnson County (6-2) will host two more non-conference doubleheaders beginning with Southeast on Saturday, March 25 at noon.  Kirkwood comes to town on Tuesday, March 28 with the first pitch being thrown at 2 p.m.