OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Winners of the last two Kansas Jayhawk Community College Division II softball regular season titles, Johnson County Community College has been picked to win a third-straight title in 2025 in the annual KJCCC Softball Division II preseason order of finish poll as voted on by league head coaches.
The Cavaliers earned nine of the 12 first-place votes and were picked to finish no lower than third with a total of 140 points ahead of second-place Neosho County Community College with 121. Cowley College was picked third with 116 points, followed by Kansas City Kansas Community College in fourth with 109 points and Fort Scott Community College was picked fifth with 108 points, despite winning last year's Region 6/Plains District Championship.
Johnson County is coming of a 2024 season that saw them finished 19-3 in the conference and 46-12 overall and earned a berth to the NJCAA D-II World Series after finishing runner-up in the Plains District Tournament.
Head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens has five players back from that squad, highlighted by the return of third baseman Aspen Burgardt, the reigning KJCCC D-II MVP and NJCAA D-II National Player of the Year.
In her rookie campaign, Burgardt had a tremendous season for the Lady Cavaliers, making an impact at the plate in the field. In addition to her prestigious honor, she was selected first-team All-America by the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association, NJCAA All-Region 6 first-team, NFCA All-South Region first-team and Kansas Jayhawk Conference Division II first-team. She was also selected the MVP and Freshman of the Year for the conference, becoming just the sixth player in KJCCC history and second in D-II to be selected for both awards in the same year.
"To have a player that gets so highly recognized from conference play to a national level has been exciting," said JCCC head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens. "Her work ethic in unmatched. She works hard in the weight room, the classroom, in the cage and on the field. This is not just because of the numbers she put up, but also her selflessness and desire to do whatever is asked of her and her attitude and effort elevate those around her. It was fun to be a part of her journey last season, and we are so excited to have her back for another go around this year."
Last season, Burgardt led the conference with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 171 at bats. Her 86 hits also led the conference along with 33 doubles, 58 extra base hits, 192 total bases, .566 on-base percentage, 1.123 slugging percentage and 84 RBI. She belted 23 home runs, which ranked second in the conference. In the field, she recorded an impressive .950 fielding percentage playing the hot corner.
The first-year third baseman ranked among the best in the nation in doubles (1st), extra base hits (1st), slugging percentage (3rd), total bases (4th), runs batted in (5th) and home runs (8th).
Burgardt also set JCCC season records for doubles, home runs, extra base hits and multiiple RBI games (25), and 84 RBI are second most recorded in a season. She also ranks tied for 10th in batting average and hits, and tied for 13th with 25 multiple-hit games. Her 33 doubles are also the second-most ever recorded KJCCC softball history, and she ranks 12th in conference history in home runs and 14th in RBI.
Also back are starting infielders Jaylee Jefferson and Izzy Carter. Jefferson earend all-KJCCC D-II first-team last year and twice was voted as the KJCCC D-II Softball Player of the Week. She hit .368 (67-for-182) with 21 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs, 37 extra base hits, 64 runs scored and 73 driven in. She produced 22 mulitple-hit games and 19 muliple RBI games. She ranked second in the conference in RBI, thied for third in doubles and runs scored, fourth in extra base hits and seventh in home run.
Carter started 49 of the 51 games she played and batted .329 (49-for-149) with 16 doubles, a home run, 42 runs scored and 39 driven in. She also drew 21 free passes and led the team with 12 sacrifices. Carter produced 13 multiple-hit games and 12 multiple-RBI games. In the field, she committed just one error in 142 fielding chances.
Also back are reserve outfielder Haley Bryant and right-hand pitcher Jalin Lavers. Bryant played in 26 games and hit at a .246 clip (14-for-57) with four doubles, a triple, seven walks, six runs and eight RBI. Lavers made 14 appearances in the circle, 13 as a starter, and finished with an impressive record of 10-1 with eight complete games. She also struck out 60 batter over 57 and one-third innings.
Brattin-Volkens has added 12 new players to the roster, 11 freshman and one sophomore transfer Brielle Dee who cames over from Highland Community College. She made 28 pitching appearances for the Scotties, and led the staff in victories (11), innings pitched (103.1) and strikeouts (55).
The 11 freshmen aere pitcher/first baseman Elsa Carrillo (Lawrence Free State/Lawrence, Kan.), utility Kamden Evans (Ottawa/Ottawa, Kan.), first baseman/outfielder Jayla Green (Olathe North/Olathe, Kan.), catcher/third baseman Spencer Habig (Shawnee Heights/Tecumseh, Kan.), infielder/utility Lily Hans (Ankeny/Ankeny, Iowa), infielder/outfielder Katie Kolarik (Bishop Miege/Overland Park, Kan.), outfielder Janelle Lang (De Soto, De Soto, Kan.), catcher/infielder Maddie Murray (Abilene, Abilene, Kan.), catcher/infielder Reagan Neitzel (Manhattan/Manhattan, Kan.), outfielder Hannah Sheer (Staley/Kansas City, Mo.) and infielder/outfielder Makenzie Yoder (Eudora/Eudora, Kan.)
Johnson County opens its 2025 season on Friday, February 14 agaisnt Northern Oklaoma College-Tonkawa at the JUCO Jam in Branson, Mo. Their home opener is scheduled for Friday, February 28 against Indian Hills Community College.