Prep athletes of the week: Annandale softball pitcher racks up six wins in 'normal' week

In a life that Johnson fills with softball, last week might have been the best that the sophomore pitcher has ever had.

She won all six games she pitched, hurling 40 innings, giving up just three runs (two earned) and 13 hits while striking out 85 batters. She led the Cardinals to the championship of the Morris/Chokio-Albert Tournament.

"It was a normal week of pitching in how much I pitched, but it had to be one of my best weeks ever," she said.

She gave credit to her catcher, Bree Seagraves, for her strong performance. "She's a big part of it," Johnson said. "I've been throwing to her for about four years."

For Johnson, throwing a softball is not just a pastime, it's a passion. She chooses to play the sport year-round as a member of the Annandale summer and fall and Domeball club teams. All, she says, in preparation for the high school season.

"It's really what I love to do," she said. "I take a lot of pride in it. The high school season is the most important season of them all. All of the work is about trying to win the section and go to state. That's the ultimate goal."

The junior pitcher went 2-2 with 20 strikeouts last week, but it was her production at the plate that really stood out. In four games, she went 8-for-12 with three doubles, two homeruns and 7 RBI. She is hitting .640 on the season.

After his performance at the Armstrong Invitational, the senior can claim to be the fastest prep sprinter in Minnesota. He won the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds and 200 meters in 21.11. Both times are the best in the state by far and within striking distance of the all-time state records.

The sophomore shortstop paced the Stars to a 3-0 week and a five-game wining streak. Last week she went 7-for-11 (.636) with six runs scored, six RBI and four doubles, and was error-free in the field.

HELEN NELSON

The junior attacker showed off an impressive scoring touch as the Cardinals won four times. She scored six goals in a victory over Elk River, five in victories over Centennial and Becker, and three in a rout of Duluth. For the week, she had 19 goals and six assists.

The senior infielder helped the Mustangs rebound from a 1-3 start to win three of four games last week. As the leadoff hitter, Nickel reached base nine times in 15 plate appearances, including eight base hits. He scored five runs, stole two bases and drove in a pair of runs.

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