OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 17 Johnson County softball team earned a split in the series against Cowley on Thursday, dropping into a tie for third place in the KJCCC D-II race with the Tigers. Cowle took the first game 6-2, but JCCC rebounded for a 3-1 victory to earn the split.

Both teams entered the doubleheader undefeated in conference play and in a four-way tie for first along with Kansas City Kansas and Neosho County. After the split, the Cavaliers stand 5-1 in the conference and 18-11 overall.

In the opener, freshman outfielder Katie Kolarik belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to prevent shutout.

The Tigers took control of the game in the top fourth inning plating five runs. They added another in the fifth for a 6-nil lead.

Sophomore right-hander Brielle Dee started and took the loss. She allowed four runs off six hits over three and one-third innings. Elsa Carrillo tossed the final three and two-thirds, allowing two runs, four hits with five strikeouts.

In the second game, JCCC pitcher Jalin Lavers continued to pitch well in the circle. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one run off three hits and struck out five batters over seven innings to post her fifth complete-game victory of the season.

At the plate, sophomore infielder Jaylee Jefferson got the Cavaliers on the board with an RBI double in the third innings.

Freshman DP Lily Hans went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in the fourth inning. Kolarik also picked up an RBI in the inning to put JCCC up 3-0.

Johnson County has a big series on Thursday when they host No. 23 Kansas City Kansas (23-10/6-0). The Blue Devils will most likely be higher ranked after the NJCAA D-II Poll comes out Monday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.