(Johnson County CC Sports Information) OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Johnson County Community College freshman Aspen Burgardt had a tremendous season for the Lady Cavaliers, making an impact both at the plate in the field, and with that she has been showered with postseason accolades. On Thursday, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) named her the Division II Softball Player of the Year, making her the highest decorated player in JCCC history.

Prior to this prestigious award, Burgardt was selected first-team All-America by the NJCAA and National Fastpitch Coaches Association, NJCAA All-Region 6 first-team, NFCA All-South Region first-team and Kansas Jayhawk Conference Division II first-team. She was also selected the MVP and Freshman of the Year for the conference, becoming just the sixth player in KJCCC history and second in D-II to be selected for both awards in the same year.

This season, Burgardt led the conference with a .503 batting average, collecting 86 hits in 171 at bats.  Her 86 hits also led the conference along with 33 doubles, 58 extra base hits, 192 total bases, .566 on-base percentage, 1.123 slugging percentage and 84 RBI. She belted 23 home runs, which ranked second in the conference. In the field, she recorded an impressive .950 fielding percentage playing the hot corner.

The first-year third baseman ranked among the best in the nation in doubles (1^st), extra base hits (1^st), slugging percentage (3^rd), total bases (4^th), runs batted in (5^th) and home runs (8^th).

Burgardt also set JCCC season records for doubles, home runs, extra base hits and multiiple RBI games (25), and 84 RBI are second most recorded in a season. She also ranks tied for 10^th in batting average and hits, and tied for 13^th with 25 multiple-hit games. Her 33 doubles are also the second-most ever recorded KJCCC softball history, and she ranks 12^th in conference history in home runs and 14^th in RBI.

2024 Statistics

• .503 batting average (25^th in the nation, 1^st in the conference)
• .566 on-base percentage (24^th in the nation, 1^st in the conference)
• 1.123 slugging percentage (3^rd in the nation, 1^st in the conference)
• 86 hits (19^th in the nation, 1^st in the conference)
• 58 extra base hits (1^st in the nation and conference)
• 912 total bases (4^th in the nation, 1^st in the conference)
• 33 doubles (1^st in the nation and conference)
• 23 home runs (8^th in the nation, 2^nd in the conference)
• 84 RBI (5^th in the nation, 1^st in the conference)

Season Honors
• 2024 NJCAA D-II Softball Player or the Year
• 2024 NJCAA D-II Softball First-Team All-American
• 2024 NFCA Softball First-Team All-American
• 2024 NFCA All-South Region First-Team
• 2024 KJCCC/Region 6 First-Team
• 2024 KJCCC/Region 6 Most Valuable Player
• 2024 KJCCC/Region 6 Freshman of the Year

2024  Season Accomplishments

• Set JCCC season record for doubles
• Set JCCC season record of home runs
• Set JCCC season recodd of extra base hits
• Set JCCC season record of multiple-RBI games
• Ranks 2^nd in season RBI
• Ranks 10^th in season batting average
• Ranks 10^th in season hits
• Ranks 10^th in seson multiple-hit games