OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 17th-ranked Johnson County softball team (27-13) will begin its quest to qualify for the 2021 NJCAA Division II National Tournament on Saturday, May 15, when they face Murray State (37-10) in the first round of the Region VI D-II/Plains District A Tournament in Pryor, Okla. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
The other first round matchup pits KJCCC D-II/Div. A champion Labette (32-14) against Neosho County (27-24) at 10 am.
Johnson County is 4-0 all-time against Murray State. The last time they met was in this same tournament in 2019. The Lady Cavaliers handed the Aggies its worst loss in the series winning 9-1.
Johnson County possesses one of the top pitchers in the conference in Kyla Etter. The freshman right-hander from Eudora leads the league with an ERA of 2.40. She is 13-4 on the season with 103 strikeouts in 99.1 innings pitched. She has been selected the conference pitcher of the week three times, including each of the last two weeks.
At the plate, freshman first baseman/pitcher Kaylin Watkins is JCCC's power bat. She is hitting .464 (52-for-112) with 11 doubles, 15 home runs, 38 runs scored and 50 driven in. Her 15 homers are tied for third in the conference, and her 50 RBI and 26 extra base hits are ninth.
Head coach Aubreen Brattin-Volkens is also getting solid production from 3B Aubree Griffith (.477), C/OF Emma Baldwin (.385), IF/OF Katie Enneking (.353), SS Nia Thomas (.349), OF Haley Puccio (.329), 3B/OF Emma Martin (.329), IF Aubrey Peck (.320) and 3B/C Emma Stanwix (.316). As a team the Lady Cavaliers are hitting at a .337 clip with 72 doubles, 18 triples and 46 home runs.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, May 15
Game 1: 10 a.m. – Labette (32-14) vs. Neosho County (27-24)
Game 2: 12:30 pm. – Johnson County (27-13) vs. Murray State (37-10)
Game 3: 3 p.m. – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4: 5:30 p.m. – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Sunday, May 16
Game 5: 10 a.m. – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 6: Noon – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7: 2 p.m. – If Needed
The Coaches
Johnson County – Aubree Brattin-Volkens (310-114/10 years)
Murray State – Aaron Mullen (148-65/5 years)