Gaston College outfielder overcomes injury, garners national attention for Rhinos' World Series-bound softball team
When Gaston College advances to the National Junior College Athletic Association softball World Series in Yuma, Ariz., next week, the Rhinos will take the momentum of a Mid-Atlantic district title run that garnered national attention.
Sophomore outfielder Sarah Johnson provided that spark with a catch that had to be seen to be believed late in an 8-1 win over Georgia Military that secured the Rhinos' berth in the World Series in Yuma, Ariz.
The catch for the first out of the top of the seventh inning came as Johnson ran into the portable fence in left field of CaroMonth Health Park. And the highlight of Johnson making the grab while knocking down a section of the fence was the No. 7 choice of ESPN SportsCenter's daily top 10 highlights of the day.
Pretty high praise for a player that earlier in the week was undergoing treatment for an ankle injury that knocked her out of the Region 10 championship game in Spartanburg, S.C.
"Right now I've just got some soreness in my left ankle," Johnson said after Thursday's win. "I just stayed off it over the weekend when we got back, did my treatment with (trainer Al Shuford) and got ready to play."
Picked as MVP of the Region 10 tournament after being named an All-Region 10 outfielder, Johnson is Gaston College's top hitter among its regular starters with a .513 average, .592 on-base percentage and .836 slugging percentage along with 38 extra base hits and 93 RBIs.
"She's been a driving force on our offense all year long," Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald said. "And of course she's an outstanding outfielder."
A lefty thrower and batter, Johnson hit .714 with two home runs and six RBIs in three games in the region tournament and hit .800 with three doubles and three RBIs in the two-game sweep of Georgia Military for the Mid-Atlantic district title.
A former Charlotte Independence High School standout, Johnson transferred to Gaston College after a year at McClennan Community College in Waco, Tex.
Johnson said it was obvious to her during fall drills that included an exhibition schedule of games against NCAA Division I and Division II schools that the Rhinos had a chance for greatness.
"In the fall, I saw what we were and we kept coming together as a group," Johnson said. "And we've learned how each other plays and become a good group."
In the regular season, Gaston College went 22-0 in Region 10 Division I games to become the first unbeaten league champion since 2016.
After winning the region and district tournaments, the Rhinos are 60-3 overall and winners of 27 straight games as they enter the school's second World Series in three years.
"We're excited and ready to go," Johnson said.