SEWARD, Neb. – After a long overdue trot to the mound, pitcher Alex Johnson did not disappoint in his first outing to earn a weekly conference award. Johnson was selected as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Baseball Pitcher of the Week announced by the league office on Wednesday (Feb. 12). Missing the majority of the past two seasons, Johnson grabs his second career award with his first coming in 2021 (March 9).
In their opening weekend, the Spring Hill product and 20th-ranked Bulldogs defeated No. 15 Bellevue University (2-1) in a pitcher’s dual on Friday. Graduate student Johnson faced 16 Bruin batters and silenced 14 of the potent lineup including nine strikeouts in the bump start. Earning his first win since Feb. 18, 2023, the Olathe, Kan., native allowed one hit, a walk and one earned run in 4.2 innings pitched.
The comeback potential ace posted his best season in 2022 while making 14 starts and a 7-1 record. Johnson shelled out a team high 2.77 ERA over 65 total innings. He tallied 61 strikeouts and held opposing batters to a .228 average.
Concordia University, Nebraska Baseball also defeated No. 23 Oklahoma City on separate occasions (11-7, 15-3) in the opening two days.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to play four games in Joplin, Mo., this upcoming weekend (Feb. 15-16).