SEWARD, Neb. – A sparkling performance at Central Methodist University (Mo.) led to accolades for Concordia University, Nebraska graduate student Alex Johnson. On Tuesday (Feb. 24), the league office recognized Johnson as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Pitcher of the Week. Johnson has earned this distinction for the third time in his career and joins Sam Bespoyasny as the second Bulldog pitcher to earn a weekly award already this season.
An Olathe, Kan., native Johnson is the reigning GPAC Pitcher of the Year. He looked the part in his outing on Feb. 19 while up against 25th-ranked Central Methodist. Johnson logged five innings with one unearned run allowed on one hit and one walk. He fanned six Eagles hitters while making 65 pitches in his second outing of the spring. Owner of Psychology degree from Concordia (and currently a master’s student in Business), Johnson has yet to allow an earned run in eight innings this season.
On the program’s all-time career lists, Johnson ranks fifth in ERA (3.19), sixth in strikeouts (224), sixth in wins (18) and ninth in innings pitched (177.2). The outing last week marked his 40th career collegiate start.
No. 16 Concordia (7-3) is looking forward to playing a four-game series this Friday-Saturday with Graceland University (Iowa). The series will take place in Fort Scott, Kan.