The softball team celebrates during the game. (Photo by: Vaughn Wheat.)

In a key KJCCC D-II matchup Thursday afternoon, the No. 17 Johnson County Community College softball team split a doubleheader with Cowley College, falling 6-2 in game one before bouncing back with a 3-1 win in game two. Both teams came into the series undefeated in conference play, and part of a four-way tie for first place with Kansas City Kansas and Neosho. 

The split puts JCCC at 5-1 in conference and 18-11 overall, keeping them in a tight race atop the standings. 

In game one, Cowley jumped ahead with a five-run fourth inning and added another run in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead. Freshman Katie Kolarik helped the Cavs avoid a shutout, blasting a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. 

Sophomore pitcher Brielle Dee took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. Elsa Carrillo finished the game, giving up two runs and striking out five in relief. 

Freshman Elsa Carillo pitches the ball at the Cowley game. (Photo by: Vaughn Wheat)

The Cavaliers responded in game two behind a stellar outing from sophomore pitcher Jalin Lavers. She tossed a complete game three hitter, allowing just one run and striking out five batters over seven innings. 

At the plate, Jaylee Jefferson put JCCC on the board with an RBI double in the third inning. Lilly Hans went 2-for-3 with an RBI double of her own in the fourth, and Kolarik added another RBI to seal the 3-1 win. 

Up next, the Cavaliers will host No. 23 Kansas City Kansas (23-10,6-0) in another crucial series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. Thursday. 

Cowley broke open game one with a five-run fourth inning. Katie Kolarik prevented a shutout for JCCC with a two-run homer in the seventh. Brielle Dee took the loss, while Elsa Carrillo struck out five in relief. 

In game two, Jalin Lavers was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game with five strikeouts and just three hits allowed. Offensively, Jaylee Jefferson got the Cavs on the board with RBI double, while Lily Hans and Kolarik added key RBIs. 

JCCC is now 18-11 overall, 5-1 in conference play, and will face No. 23 Kansas City Kansas Community College on Thursday at 2 p.m.