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Brantley graduate and current Troy University student-athlete Leanna Johnson was a standout pitcher at BHS, an indispensable piece of a roster that won four state championships and won the Gatorade Player of the Year award for the state of Alabama in 2018.

Despite her many successes as a Bulldog, Johnson’s star has only risen further since donning the cardinal, silver and black.

On Thursday, July 2, Johnson was named number 6 on D1 Softball’s list of the top 10 softball pitchers in the country.

The data used to make the list is based off of three categories: zone control, pitch ability and durability.

Johnson, according to Troy’s athletic website, pitched 94 of the team’s 151 total innings in 2020, owned the strike zone ranking sixth nationally in strikeouts with 137 while also holding opponents to just a .153 batting average.

The sophomore has also already managed to make her mark on the Troy University record books during her first year, setting new single-season records in victories, strikeouts and shutouts.
According to Troy, “Johnson was on track to topple her 2019 shutout record after opening this past season with seven, which ranked first nationally.” This year’s season was cut short due to COVID-19.

Johnson said her time at Brantley was invaluable at helping her become a notable college player.

“My success at Brantley definitely helped me push to the next level. My coaches at Brantley pushed me to be the best I could and I am so thankful for them. I couldn’t have made it as far as I have now without them pushing me and my teammates playing behind me,” she said.

Johnson went on to say that she intends only to keep pushing and improving, with hopes of leaving a permanent mark on Troy University and the Sunbelt Conference as a whole.

“I would say my main goals are to become an All-American at Troy, to win multiple Sunbelt championships and just to become the best player and person I can be,” Johnson explained.

Johnson was also honored as the 2019 Freshman of the Year by the Sunbelt Conference.