Lauren Johnson Earns First SEC Weekly Honor
The Alabama softball team thrived in the opening week of the season, as they finished with a perfect 5-0 record. During their victories over Georgia Tech (twice), Longwood (twice) and Villanova (opening game), several players stood out among the team.
In addition to being prominent among the Crimson Tide, freshman outfielder Lauren Johnson, the sister of veteran outfielder Jenna Johnson, stood out among the entire SEC. She was named the conference's Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday.
Johnson led the Tide with her .545 batting average at the Buzz Classic. She posted six hits, four runs scored, two RBI and a team-best three stolen bases. In her first career start against Longwood, she went 3-for-3, which was the first three-hit performance for any Tide player since her older sister did so against Arkansas at last season's SEC Tournament.
Perhaps her most notable defensive moment came on Feb. 10 against Georgia Tech, as she made a diving SportsCenter-top-10-esque catch in the fourth inning that sent the Tide into a frenzy.
The honor is the first of Johnson's career and the first for any Tide player this season. Overall, Alabama has taken home 25 Freshman of the Week awards in program history, with current Alabama sophomore Larissa Preuitt as the last to do so on May 8, 2023.
Alabama makes its 2024 home debut this weekend, as they'll play five games at the Easton Bama Bash starting Friday, Feb. 16 at Rhoads Stadium.
SEC Softball Weekly Awards: Week 1
- Co-Player of the Week: Tennessee outfielder Rylie West
- Co-Player of the Week: Kentucky pitcher Stephanie Schoonover
- Co-Freshman of the Week: Alabama outfielder Lauren Johnson
- Co-Freshman of the Week: Florida pitcher Olivia Miller
