OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The No. 12-ranked Johnson County Community College earned a sweep over No. 22 Iowa Central Community College Tuesday afternoon to improve to 4-2 on this young season.
The Cavaliers claimed the opener in dramatic fashion, securing a 5-4 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 11th inning. Kennedy Glassford delivered the game-winning blow, lacing a double to score Kamden Evans from second base.
Evans entered as a pinch runner after catcher Reese Pattison led off the inning with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Taylor Roe moved Evans into scoring position, setting the stage for Glassford's heroics.
Katie Kolarik powered the offense with three hits, all for extra bases. She doubled in the fourth inning, blasted a three-run home run in the fifth, and added another double in the 10th. Reagan Neitzel also had a standout performance, going 4-for-4. She drove in Johnson County's first run with an RBI single in the opening inning and added three more singles throughout the contest.
Right-hander Kyleigh Whitehurst went the distance in the circle, scattering nine hits and allowing four runs across 11 innings while striking out four.
In game two, Johnson County jumped out early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Olivia Ellis sparked the rally with a solo home run to left field. Glassford followed with a two-run triple, and Makenzie Yoder added an RBI single to give the Cavaliers early control.
Iowa Central answered with single runs in the third and fourth innings before plating four in the fifth to take a 6-4 lead. The Cavaliers responded emphatically in the bottom of the sixth, erupting for five runs on just two hits to reclaim the lead at 9-6. The decisive hit came off the bat of Yoder, who ripped a two-run double. She finished 3-for-4 with three RBI. Neitzel, Kolarik, and Ellis each contributed an RBI in the victory.
Elsa Carrillo made the start in the circle, allowing nine hits and five runs over four innings while striking out five. Glassford entered in relief and earned the win, limiting Iowa Central to two hits and one run over three innings with three strikeouts.
With the sweep, Johnson County showcased both resilience and firepower — walking off the opener in extra innings and rallying late in the nightcap. The Cavaliers return to the diamond Friday, February 27, when they host McCook Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.