OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 16-ranked Johnson County softball team hosted six games over the weekend and came out on top in four of the contests.
JCCC opened with an 11-2 setback against No. 11 Kirkwood on Friday, March 7, then followed with a 10-6 victory over McCook. On Saturday the Cavaliers handed Bryant and Stratton of Wisconsin a 5-2 loss and capped the day with a 5-2 win over No. 17 North Iowa Area. JCCC closed out the weekend splitting a doubleheader with North Iowa Area. The Trojans took the first game 7-2, and the Cavaliers earned the split with a 5-1 victory.
In their first win over McCook, Johnson County ripped 18 hits highlighted by seven extra base hits. Freshman Reagan Neitzel was 4-for-4 with a double, two runs and two RBI. Freshman Spencer Habig collected two doubles and drove in three. Freshman Katie Kolarik went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and two RBI, and sophomore Izzy Carter had a single, double with two driven in.
Freshman right-hander Elsa Carrillo went the distance, allowing six runs off nine hits with three strikeouts to pick up the win.
In the win over Bryant and Stratton in Saturday's opener freshman Lily Hans had the hot bat, belting three doubles while driving four of the five runs.
Sophomore right-hander Jalin Lavers was solid in the circle, allowing two runs off only four hits with four strikeouts.
In the second game of the day against North Iowa Area, Freshman Janelle Lang, sophomore Aspen Burgardt and Hans each belted solo home runs and Lang drove in another run with a sacrifice.
Sophomore right-hander Brielle Dee logged seven strong innings, allowing just a single run with five strikeouts.
In Sunday's opening loss to the Trojans, Carter went 3-for-4 with a run scored and freshman Maddie Murray had two singles and an RBI.
In the final game of the weekend, Murray had two hits with a solo homer and Burgardt ripped a two-run double to pace JCCC offense.
Dee hurled another complete game victory, allowing just one run off four hits with six strikeouts.
Johnson County returns to the diamond on Tuesday, March 11 when they host Dawson. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.