GULF SHORES, Ala. – The No. 8-ranked Johnson County Community College softball team opened its 2026 season with a split at the Coastal Alabama Coyote Open in Gulf Shores, Alabama Friday afternoon.

The Cavaliers opened with an 8-4 victory over Enterprise State Community College, then saw their comeback effort fall short in a 5-4 loss to Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

In the opener, Johnson County got on the board in the first inning after sophomore Reagan Neitzel belted a two-run homer over the center field fence. The Cavaliers added another run in the third on an RBI single from Alaryce Millard.

Enterprise State tied the game up in the top of the fourth, but the Cavaliers took control in the bottom of the fifth, plating five runs for an 8-3 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a two-run blast over center field by sophomore Katie Kolarik that drove in two runs.

Kyleigh Whitehurst started in the circle for JCCC. The freshman right-hander surrendered nine hits and four runs over seven innings, strikeout out three.

Neitzel again powered the offense with two hits and two RBI.  Kolarik and Millard also each drove in a run for JCCC.

In the second game the Cavaliers effort to come back from down five runs in the fourth inning came up short, as they fell 5-4 to Lamar State.

Neitzel, Kolarik and Millard each drove in a run for JCCC and Neitzel and Millard led the team with two hits apiece.

Sophomore right-hander Elsa Carrillo took the loss, giving up nine hits and five runs, two earned, over six innings.

The Cavaliers will face Coastal Alabama-South  and East Central Community College on Saturday, February 14.