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Kolarik Powers Cavaliers to Conference Title in Sweep of Independence

The image shows a softball player at the plate, preparing to swing. The athlete is wearing a navy and white uniform with the number 12 on the front, along with a navy batting helmet featuring yellow initials on the front. They are gripping a bat with bright yellow batting gloves and appear to be in an athletic stance, focused on the pitch. A padded fence and a chain?link backstop are visible in the background, along with some blurred spectators and equipment. The overall scene captures a moment of concentration during a game.
Katie Kolarik waits for a pitch to hit.

Batting

Independence Community College
2B: Na'BraiJhanae' Phillips
3B: none
HR: none
Johnson County Community College
2B: Reagan Neitzel; Katie Kolarik 2; Makenzie Yoder
3B: none
HR: Olivia Ellis; Reagan Neitzel; Reese Pattison
full stats

Batting

Independence Community College
2B: none
3B: Kamdyn Minnick
HR: none
Johnson County Community College
2B: Katie Courter; Kennedy Glassford; Reagan Neitzel; Mariah Herrera; Alaryce Millard 2
3B: Reagan Neitzel
HR: Katie Kolarik 2; Reese Pattison; Makenzie Yoder
full stats
Posted: May 03, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - The Johnson County Community College softball team left no doubt in its regular season finale, sweeping Independence on Saturday to secure the program's 19th conference championship—and fourth in the last six seasons.

Behind a dominant offensive display and a standout day from sophomore Katie Kolarik, the Cavaliers rolled to a 13-0 victory in the opener before erupting for a 23-4 win in the nightcap to clinch the title in emphatic fashion.

Johnson County set the tone early in game one, plating five runs in the first inning and never looking back. The Cavaliers pounded out 15 hits while the pitching staff silenced Independence's lineup, allowing just one hit in the five-inning run-rule victory.

Kolarik led the charge in the opener, finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI and three runs scored as part of the offensive outburst. She was one of several Cavaliers to produce big numbers, as Reagan Neitzel drove in three runs,  Makenzie Yoder added two RBI Olivia Ellis and Reese Pattison hit solo homers in the win.

In the circle, Kyleigh Whitehurst was nearly untouchable, striking out eight and allowing just one hit over five shutout innings to secure the victory.

If game one was decisive, game two was overwhelming.

The Cavaliers exploded for 17 runs in the first inning and never eased up, finishing with 23 runs on 23 hits to complete the sweep.

Kolarik delivered the biggest swings of the day in the second game, blasting a grand slam and a three-run homer in the first inning as part of a 3-for-5 performance with seven RBI. Her offensive showcase capped a dominant day at the plate and helped fuel one of the team's most explosive performances of the season.

She wasn't alone. Yoder hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, Neitzel added four RBI, Mariah Herrera had four hits scored three times and the Cavaliers' lineup overwhelmed Independence pitching from the opening frame.

With the sweep, Johnson County not only secured the conference championship but also locked up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Region 6 Tournament.

The Cavaliers will open postseason play on Wednesday, May 6 at 11 a.m., when they face Coffeyville, looking to carry their momentum—and powerful lineup—into the next stage of the championship pursuit.