The Neosho County Community College offense continues to pound out hits and drive in runs by the bunches. In Sunday's series finale doubleheader, the Panthers scored a combined 41 runs and tallied 42 hits to complete the four-game sweep for the Highland Scotties.

On the day, Neosho County was 42 of 81 (51.8 percent) at the plate, as the team improved to 21-2 on the season, including 10-2 in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. In game one, the Panthers wasted no time to getting out in front, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning in route to a 13-3 victory. Sophomore Evan Bourn drove in all three runs with a three-run home run after NCCC opened the game with two straight walks. In the bottom of the second, Highland tied the game with three runs of its own.  The game remained tied at three until sophomore Chad Thomas led off the top of the sixth inning with a leadoff solo home run. That sparked a five-run frame that put Neosho in control at 8-3.

The visitors added five more runs in the seventh. Three of those were courtesy of a three-run home run by freshman Brylie Ware. Freshman Riley Ulery picked up his first win in 4 and 1/3 innings in relief of starter Tanner Strickbine. Offensively, Ware was 3 for 3 at the plate with four RBIs, while Bourn was 2 of 3, driving in four runs.

In game two, Neosho County scored at least one run in six of the seven innings in the 28-5 victory. With already a 5-0 advantage, the Panthers did most of the damage in the top of the second inning, scoring 12 runs. Ware highlighted the inning with a two-out, three-run blast, giving NCCC a 17-0 lead. For the game, six Panthers tallied at least three hits in the game, including Darian Abram (3-for-3), Ware (4-for-4), Bourn (3-for-4), Ryan Toliver (5-for-6), Aaron Dees (3-for-4), Nate Crossman (3-for-5). Ware, Bourn and Toliver each drove in five runs apiece, while Dees drove in six. Starting pitcher Trent Latta struck out six and walked none in five innings of work as the sophomore picked up his fifth win of the season.

The league-leading Panthers will travel to Arkansas City (18-7 and 9-3) to face the second-place Cowley Tigers on Thursday. First pitch is set for 1 pm.