OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College (33-15) overcame an early 2-0 deficit to pull away for a 9-4 victory over Kansas City Kansas Community College to advance to the NJCAA Region 6 Division II Championship Game on Saturday.
Kylie Vandervoot gave the Blue Devils a 2-0 lead with a home run in the top of the second inning, but the Cavaliers cut their lead in half in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Katie Kolarik.
JCCC took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on a three-run home run by first baseman Aspen Burgardt. It was her seventh of the season and 30th of her career.
The Cavaliers added two more in the bottom the fourth. Janelle Lang tripled to drive in Lily Hans and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Izzy Carter.
Johnson County put the game away with three runs in the sixth off a solo homer by Kolarik and a two-run shot by Jefferson. It was Kolarik's 10th round tripper and the eighth for Jefferson
Jalin Lavers started in the circle. The sophomore right-hander gave up two runs, five hits walked one and struck out two over two innings. Elsa Carrillo pitched the final five innings to pick up the win. The freshman right-hander allowed two runs off three hits, walked a batter and struck out five.
Johnson County will face Kansas City Kansas again after the Blue Devils defeated Neosho County 5-3 in an elimnation game. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. A second game, if necessary, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.