Triceratops drop 8-6 nail-biter to Johnson County C.C.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (athletics.tri-c.edu) – The Cuyahoga Community College Triceratops (34-8, 16-1 OCCAC) run in the NJCAA Division II Softball World Series has come to an end with an 8-6 loss to No. 12 seeded Johnson County Community College (38-12, 18-2 KJCCC), May 21.

The Triceratops started the day out strong, scoring the game's first runs in their first at bats after Sophie Durbin (So./Mansfield, Ohio/Mount Vernon Nazarene) roped the first pitch of the game to the shortstop and reached on an error. But the wheels fell off down the stretch as Tri-C's two-run lead evaporated in the sixth inning.

In the circle, freshman Jayliana Wilt (Youngstown, Ohio) got the start and pitched a total of 4.2 innings on the day, allowing two earned runs on a home run and striking out two Cavaliers. Julee Phillips (So./Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) relieved Wilt in the fifth inning and threw a scoreless frame before she was unable to make it out of the sixth with four runs on her tally.

Katelyn Smith (So./Columbus, Ohio) paced Tri-C with two RBIs. No Triceratops hitter posted multiple hits or multiple runs scored on the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Durbin took the first pitch of the game and hit it hard to the shortstop, forcing an error and setting the tone for the Tri-C offense. A single to right field by Isabelle Kepple (So./Miamisburg, Ohio) would score Durbin and Lexi Gray (So./Tallmadge, Ohio/Baldwin-Wallace) on another Cavalier error. A double by Adriana Guarnieri (Fr./Chillicothe, Ohio) plated a third Triceratops run to put Tri-C up 3-0 in the top of the first.
• Johnson County's offense got their read on Wilt in the third inning, with two hits and one error leading to the Cavaliers knotting the game up 3-3 heading into the fourth.
• The tie wouldn't last long, as Smith rocketed a single up the middle to score two runs in the top of the fourth, putting Tri-C up again, 5-3.
• An insurance run came across for Tri-C in the top of the fifth after a beautifully placed bunt by Gray turned into a three-bag error that scored Reese Adkins (So./Oak Harbor, Ohio) and put Gray on third base. Kepple would've drove in Gray, but a lineup error where Kepple did not officially re-enter the game before her at bat led to the RBI being erased and Gray staying on third base. Ultimately, the inning closed with a 6-3 Tri-C lead.
• Phillips relieved Wilt in the bottom of the fifth, looking like her usual dominant self with three quick outs and a walked batter left stranded at first.
• Johnson County came out with a vengeance in the sixth, notching four hits and forcing an error against Phillips to bring the game to 6-5 with the bases loaded. Wilt re-entered in the circle, but a walk, RBI single and sacrifice fly were enough to give Johnson County the 8-6 lead heading into Tri-C's last at bats.
• The Triceratops fought hard, putting solid contact in play, but the Cavalier defense didn't make any mistakes and sat down the top of the Tri-C batting order 1-2-3 to close out the game.

UP NEXT

The loss today eliminates the Triceratops from the national title contention and brings an end to the season. Still, 2026 was one of the most successful seasons in Tri-C history, with a 33-8 record, OCCAC Championship, Great Lakes District A Championship and the program's fourth appearance in the NJCAA Division II World Series.

We turn our attention now to postseason award voting and All-American awards, which will be released here at athletics.tri-c.edu.

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