Jefferson banged out 18 hits, including a home run by Maddie Koolbeck, and whipped Kennedy 18-0 in three innings in the opener of a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader Thursday night at Jefferson.

Hannah Petersen tossed a no-hitter in the opener, but then had to come on in relief in the nightcap and gain a save as the No. 7 J-Hawks escaped with an 8-5 win.

Jefferson (27-3, 19-1) built its lead to two games over Iowa City West in the Valley Division with six to play. West split a doubleheader against Mississippi Division leader Dubuque Senior.

Kailey Drake drove in five runs and Carson Burgart three in the opener. Koolbeck belted a two-run home run.

Jefferson scored 10 runs in the first inning and eight in the second. The J-Hawks did not bat in the third inning.

The J-Hawks held a 7-0 lead after five innings in the nightcap. Kennedy rallied for four runs and had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the sixth when Petersen was called upon to relieve Brooke Stauffer. She walked in a run before setting the Cougars down.

Kennedy dropped to 7-20, 4-16.