By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



University of Alabama-Huntsville catcher Krystal Johnson’s talents have shimmered since the first day she joined the Lady Charger softball program. But, its when she has a bat in her hands that it becomes Krystal clear to everyone that Johnson is a big hit at the college level.

This season, the Gardendale grad is absolutely wearing out opposing pitchers. Through the Lady Chargers first 27 games, Johnson is batting .429. She has 27 hits in 63 at bats. She’s collected eight doubles and slugged three home runs. She’s knocked in 18 runs and scored 20 times.

“I’m very surprised I’m hitting over .400,” Johnson said. “The pitchers in college have better stuff than high school pitchers. The fastballs are better. There’s more movement and more speed in college pitching.”

Johnson may be surprised by her success, but she’s made a habit of hitting .400 since she’s stepped on the softball field. During each of her four seasons on the Gardendale varsity, Johnson hit over .400 and each year she was named as a member of the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State softball team.

“I’m not a bit surprised by her success in college,” Gardendale head coach Brad Myrick said. “When she was here at Gardendale, she worked at her hitting year-round. She was always a clutch hitter for us. She could hit with power, but she also hit plenty of line drives that drove in runs.”

During the 2004 season with the Lady Rockets, Johnson set the school record with 74 RBIs. It’s the seventh highest single season total in state history. As if to prove it wasn’t a fluke, in 2005, Johnson drove in 71 runs, the ninth highest total ever in the state.

“I love having the feeling that I’m helping our team win,” Johnson said. “If it’s driving in runs or getting on base during a rally. I want to do it. I really love competition and I love winning. That’s the exciting part of this season for me. I was used to winning in high school, but I didn’t dream we’ll win this much this year. It’s awesome to be part of a winning program.”

With Johnson’s help, the Lady Chargers are off to a 25-2 start and last week they reached the top of the NCAA Division II softball rankings for the first time ever.

“It’s exciting to be on a No. 1-ranked team. Wow. I’m on the top team in the country right now,” Johnson said. “When I was in high school, I was excited to get to the state tournament, but our team talking about making it to the Division II College World Series. I want to experience that.”

After graduating from Gardendale High in 2006, she started her college career at UAB, but Johnson wasn’t happy there, after the coaches wanted her bat in the lineup, but didn’t give her a chance to catch as well as hit.

Despite, her love of hitting, she longed to get back behind the plate and be more involved in the game.

“I wanted to play a position and hit,” Johnson said. “I was told I’d have the chance to do both here at UAH, so I transferred.”

Johnson hoped her play this season would show her new teammates she could be counted on in the clutch.