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JCCC Softball Set for World Series Opener in Spartanburg

A group of softball players in dark blue pinstriped uniforms gather closely on a field, raising one arm upward and pointing while holding and cheering around a large white sign with a visible “NJCAA Softball” logo on the left. Several players wear visors or headbands, and some have eye black stripes. One player holds a colorful glove near the center of the group. In the background, a softball stadium setting includes green turf, a fence, a building, and another team in white and orange uniforms walking along the right side under a cloudy sky.
JCCC softball players celebrate after winning Region 6 Championship.
Posted: May 17, 2026

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Johnson County Community College opens its pursuit of a national championship this week, taking the No. 12 seed into the 2026 NJCAA Division II Softball World Series. The Cavaliers will face No. 5 seed Pearl River Community College on Wednesday, May 20 at 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. CT) at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

JCCC enters the tournament riding momentum after capturing the Region 6/Plains District title with an 11-4 victory over Cowley. The championship marked the sixth under head coach Aubree Brattin-Volkens and the 23rd in program history. Along the way, the Cavaliers showcased resilience and timely hitting, earning two walk-off wins during the tournament. They opened with a 9-8 victory over Coffeyville, then rallied from a three-run deficit in their final at-bat to defeat Cowley 6-5 in the semifinals. They closed the run with a convincing offensive performance in the title game.

Offense has been the defining strength for Johnson County all season. The Cavaliers rank among the nation's best, hitting .419 as a team (2nd) with a .494 on-base percentage (4th) and a .687 slugging percentage (3rd). Their production extends across the lineup, with top-20 national rankings in doubles (5th-133), extra-base hits (8th-210), total bases (14th-889), home runs (17-60), RBI (18th-389) and hits (19th-542). Eight starters carry batting averages of .400 or better, making the Cavaliers one of the deepest offensive units in the country.

Sophomore first baseman Alaryce Millard has been a cornerstone of that attack, leading the team with a .458 average, 66 hits and 21 doubles. She enters the World Series on a 22-game hitting streak and has produced a team-high 21 multi-hit games. Katie Courter has been even more efficient in limited opportunities, hitting .477, while freshman Kennedy Glassford, the KJCCC Division II MVP, is batting .441 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI. Sophomore Katie Kolarik adds significant power with a .438 average, 16 home runs and 63 RBI.

The depth continues throughout the order. Mariah Herrera is hitting .436 with 65 hits, Reagan Neitzel is batting .430 with 59 RBI after earning Region 6/Plains District Tournament MVP honors, Olivia Ellis carries a .405 average, and Makenzie Yoder rounds out the group at .400 while adding speed with 19 stolen bases.

In the circle, Johnson County owns a 3.29 ERA across 317 innings. Freshman right-hander Kyleigh Whitehurst leads the staff with a 19-4 record, a 3.00 ERA and 110 strikeouts. Sophomore Elsa Carrillo complements her with a 13-4 mark, a 3.64 ERA and 71 strikeouts, and she has also thrown a no-hitter this season.

Pearl River enters at 43-6 after a dominant run through the Gulf South District B bracket. The Wildcats are also a high-powered offensive team, hitting .371 with a .459 on-base percentage and .604 slugging percentage while ranking among national leaders in home runs and extra-base hits. Freshman Shania Fondren has been one of the most dangerous hitters in the country, batting .413 while setting a program record with 27 home runs and driving in 74 runs. Natalee Eaves is hitting .441 with 59 RBI and 19 stolen bases, and Addy Grace Alexander is batting .446 with a .537 on-base percentage.

Pearl River's pitching staff presents a significant challenge, carrying a 2.20 ERA while ranking near the top nationally in strikeouts and strikeouts per seven innings. Ana-Grace Garcia leads the way with a 19-2 record, a 2.33 ERA and 153 strikeouts, while Ann Elise Duncan adds a 13-3 record, a 2.20 ERA and 123 strikeouts.

The two teams met early last season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia, where Pearl River earned an 11-10 win in a high-scoring contest. Johnson County jumped out to a 7-1 lead and outhit the Wildcats, recording six extra-base hits including four home runs. Kolarik homered twice in the game, but Pearl River responded by scoring in each of the final six innings to complete the comeback.

Wednesday's matchup sets up as a clash between one of the nation's most explosive lineups and one of its most dominant pitching staffs, with a spot in the winner's bracket awaiting the victor.

For Johnson County, the opportunity is clear. The Cavaliers have proven they can compete with anyone offensively, and their lineup depth gives them a chance to apply constant pressure from the first inning to the last. Limiting the big inning against a power-heavy Pearl River lineup and capitalizing early scoring chances will be key to flipping the result from their earlier meeting.

With momentum from a championship run, a confident offense and a balanced pitching staff, JCCC enters the World Series ready for the challenge. Now, the Cavaliers turn their focus to the ultimate goal, beginning Wednesday morning with a matchup that could set the tone for their national title pursuit.