EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (November 2025) – The Johnson County Community College Cavaliers will be welcoming a Tiger baseball player next fall. Excelsior Springs senior Kaelen Bedford recently made a verbal commitment to continue his education and baseball career at the Overland Park, Kansas, school.
Bedford, who will finish his high school career as a four-year starter for the Tigers, will take the mound as a pitcher for the Cavaliers beginning in the spring of 2027. Johnson County is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and went 52-13 during the spring 2025 season. The Cavaliers advanced to the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado, where they won one game and dominated the Jayhawk Conference with a 28-6 regular season record.
Bedford chose Johnson County over Iowa Western Community College, Hutchinson Community College, and Mineral Area College, citing the program’s success and the convenience of its location.
“I wanted to go somewhere that would be easy for my family to travel to see me play, and because of the success of the program making it to the Junior College World Series two out of the last three seasons,” Bedford said.
He plans to pursue a degree in physical therapy with the intent of transferring to a four-year program while continuing his baseball career.
Bedford credited his parents, Brennan and Shannon Bedford, for their constant support.
“Without the sacrifices of my parents, I would not be even close to the spot I am today,” he said.
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