From Texas Tech University Athletics:
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech softball coach Shanon Hays announced the signing of
JUCO All-American Shelby Johnson to a financial aid agreement Tuesday in order
to join the program for the 2013 season.
Johnson, a native of Jefferson, Ga., starred the past two years for Chattanooga
State, who won the NJCAA Division I National Championship just a few weeks ago.
The Tigers rallied from the losers bracket to defeat Salt Lake Community
College twice and win the school's first national title.
"Shelby is a kid we expect to come in and be an immediate impact at the top of
our lineup," Hays said. "She played for the best junior college team in the
country last year and was the best player on that team, so we are definitely
excited to sign a player of her caliber. She has the tools and the speed to
become a very dangerous hitter in this conference and we couldn't be happier
that she is now a Red Raider."
One of the fastest players in the country, Johnson hit .425 over the past two
seasons, including a .473 clip as a sophomore, while totaling 20 doubles and 16
triples to go along with six home runs. Despite hitting at the top of the
lineup, Johnson was able to drive in 53 RBI with 36 of those coming in 2012.
Her impact might have been felt most on the bases, though, as she swiped 135
over just two seasons, including 83 this past year that ranked second in the
country. She was thrown out only twice during that span as well, giving Tech
another base stealing option to go along with returners Mikey Kenney and
Kermitria Ward.
Johnson was named a first team All-American by the NJCAA both seasons and also
earned the honor by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as a
freshman. The 2012 NFCA All-American awards will be announced in the coming
weeks.
She is the second Tech signee this year to earn a first team All-America
selection as Howard College's Olive Naotala also garnered the accolade over
both seasons. The signing now gives Tech 11 newcomers, nine of which will be
freshmen for the 2013 season.
The Red Raiders graduated a school record eight seniors from this season's
41-17 squad that advanced to the postseason for the third-straight year.
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