OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Johnson County Community College softball team (34-14) punched its ticket to the NJCAA Division II World Series with a walk off 4-3 victory over Kansas City Kansas Community College Saturday afternoon at the JCCC Softball Complex.
Freshman third baseman Reagan Neitzel doubled to drive in sophomore second baseman Jaylee Jefferson in the bottom of the seventh broke a 3-3 tie and erupting a celebration at home plate. Jefferson got into scoring position with her second double of the game.
This is the fifth Region 6 championship and sixth trip to the World Series for head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens. Last season, JCCC received an at-large bid to play at nationals after falling in the title game. This marks the 22nd time the JCCC softball team has qualified for nationals.
Like yesterday's semifinal match up against the Blue Devils, Johnson County found themselves down two runs early in the contes, giving up single runs in the top of the first and second innings.
The Cavaliers cut their deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by freshman catcher Maddie Murray, scoring Jefferson from third.
Two innings later, JCCC took its first lead of the game at 3-2. Murray belted a solo home run over the right-center field fence and later freshman outfielder Katie Kolarik singled home Makenzie Yoder who pinch ran for first baseman Aspen Burgardt after walking on four straight pitches.
Kansas City Kansas managed to load the bases in the top of the seventh, but sophomore right-hander Jalin Lavers held the Blue Devils to just run, giving her team the opportunity to pull out the win in the seventh.
Lavers pitched five and two-thirds innings allowing one run, five hits, five walks with three strikeouts. Freshman right-hander Elsa Carrillo earned the start on the circle, logging one and one third inning, allowing two runs, four this two walks and zero strikeouts.
Burgardt was named the MVP of the tournament after batting .600 (6-for-10) with four doubles, a home run, three runs scored, three walks and six RBI.
Jefferson, Murray, Neitzel, Kolarik and Lavers were also put up solid numbers in the tournament. Jefferson was 6-for-12 with two doubles, a homer, six runs and three RBI. Murray was also 6-for-12 with three doubles, a home run, three runs, and six driven in. Neitzel went 7-for-14 with four doubles, six runs and four RBI and Kolarik .400 (4-for-10) with a home run, two runs and five driven in.
Lavers finished 3-0 in the tournament with an ERA of 1.54. She allowed 14 hits, five runs, four earned, with 16 strikeouts over 18.2 innings pitched. She led batters to an average of .163.