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JCCC takes 3 of 4 from Iowa Western to win fifth straight series

In the photo, a baseball player, Ashton Hartwig, in a bright yellow jersey and white pants stands on a base, raising both arms in an enthusiastic celebratory gesture. His uniform features bold lettering across the chest, and he’s wearing matching striped socks and a helmet. Beside him, another player in a gray uniform with orange accents stands holding a glove, appearing to look toward the celebrating player. The scene takes place on a baseball field with green grass, a dark infield surface, and an outfield wall in the background under clear, sunny conditions.
Ashton Hartwig stands on second base after hitting a double.
Posted: Mar 01, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The No. 4-ranked Johnson County Community College baseball team claimed its fifth consecutive series, winning three of four games against No. 13 Iowa Western Community College.

The Cavaliers split Friday's doubleheader in Council Bluffs. JCCC opened the series with a tight 4-3 victory before the Reivers responded with an 11-1 win in the nightcap. Johnson County secured the series win by sweeping Saturday's twin bill at home, 10-1 and 10-5, improving to 18-2 on the season.

In Friday's opener, Ashton Hartwig put JCCC on the board with a solo home run to left field in the top of the second inning. Iowa Western took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth, but the Cavaliers answered in the sixth with two runs, highlighted by an RBI double from Isaac Pamaran.

Logan Groh delivered what proved to be the game-winning RBI in the seventh, singling home Briggs Roe who had drawn a walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Groh finished 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Liam Roche earned the victory, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings while striking out a season-high nine batters. Braylon Brooks tossed the final two innings, giving up one run on two hits and striking out three.

The second game belonged to Iowa Western. The Reivers pounded out 12 hits — including six doubles and a home run — while pitchers Aidan Leiser and Easton Roth combined to limit JCCC to two hits and one run. Groh and Pamaran accounted for the Cavaliers' only hits, each recording a single.

Johnson County's offense erupted Saturday, outscoring the Reivers 20-7 across the two games.

In the opener, Ryan Bradford went 3-for-4 to lead JCCC to a 10-1 win. He homered to left in the first inning, added an RBI single in the fifth, and singled and scored again in the sixth.

Pamaran finished 2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and three RBIs. Roe added a two-run single, while Boston Bruce and Hartwig each drove in a run.

Ashton Nance picked up the win, surrendering five hits and one run over six innings while striking out a season-high nine. Keston Holman struck out the side in a perfect seventh to close out the game.

In the series finale, Johnson County plated five runs in both the second and seventh innings to secure a 10-5 victory.

The big blow in the second came from Evan Damario, who launched the Cavaliers' first grand slam of the season. Iowa Western rallied to tie the game in the top of the seventh, but JCCC responded with another five-run frame, fueled by a two-run single from Colin Coonradt, who finished 2-for-4 to lead the team in hits. Hartwig and Roe each added an RBI.

Victor Christal started on the mound for JCCC and allowed three hits and two runs over four innings, striking out six. Lance Alexander took over in the fifth and pitched two innings of relief. The right-hander surrendered three runs of one hit and three walks, with four strikeouts. Brett Pearcy pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts to earn the victory and Holeman hurled the final two innings allowing one hit and no runs with four strikeouts.

Johnson County will open its conference slate this week with four-game against Highland Community College. The first two games are at Highland on Thursday, March 5, then the teams return to JCCC Saturday, March 7 to close out the series.