No. 24 Trojans knock off No. 7 Johnson County CC

BRANSON, Mo. - The No. 24 NIACC softball team upset No. 7 Johnson County CC 10-9 in its season opener Friday at the Branson Juco Jam.

The Trojans rallied from an 8-0 deficit to claim the 1-run victory on a walk-off home run by Ally Wall in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Trojans scored three runs in the third inning, two runs in the fourth inning, three in the fifth inning and two in the seventh inning.

It was NIACC's first win over a rated team since the Trojans topped No. 11 DMACC 12-8 in the second game of a doubleheader on April 14, 2024.

In the Trojans' second game on Friday, they dropped an 8-1 decision to Crowder College.

In the season-opener against Johnson County CC, seven of the Trojans' nine hits were extra-base hits, including five home runs. Homering for the Trojans were Wall, Mya Bunkers, Katie Riesselman, Ella Trenkamp and Thea Mattson.

The Trojans received doubles from Makayla Wirkus and Camryn Dilla.

Maren Sauvageau gained the win in relief for the Trojans. Sauvageau, who relieved starter Izzy Sloan, allowed one run in  4 1/3 innings of work with seven strikeouts and two walks.

In NIACC's second game against Crowder College, the Trojans were held to six hits and one run, a solo home run from Bunkers.

Crowder College scored single runs in the second and third innings and three runs each in the fourth and sixth frames.

For the Trojans, Bunkers had two hits while Wirkus, Sloan, Riesselman and Dilla each collectd singles.

NIACC (1-1 overall) returns to action Saturday with two more games at the Branson Juco Jam. The Trojans play Mineral Area College at noon and Neosho County CC at 3 p.m.