Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Johnson’s Super Showing a Dream Come True
June 12, 2021 | Baseball, Joel Coleman
Preston Johnson grew up wanting to star at Dudy Noble and on Saturday, he did just that on a Super Regional stage.
STARKVILLE – Dreams really do come true. If you don't believe it, just ask Preston Johnson.
Johnson, the Mississippi State relief pitcher, was front and center at Dudy Noble Field on Saturday as the Bulldogs topped Notre Dame 9-8 in the Starkville Super Regional. And while everyone could see the impact Johnson had on the proceedings as he entered out of the bullpen and hurled 2 2/3 strong innings, what wasn't as obvious was that the right-hander out of Crystal Springs was continuing to fulfill a lifelong goal as he helped push MSU to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
"Honestly, I'm speechless," Johnson said just moments following the game. "Only word I can really say is it's just a blessing. The Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to come and play at my dream school. I grew up watching [former Bulldog] Hunter [Renfroe]. We grew up two miles from each other. We still talk on a weekly basis. Watching him in the World Series and Super Regionals and just wearing the maroon and white [too], it's awesome. Following in his footsteps up through high school and into this big arena, it's awesome. It's just a blessing."
Johnson feels incredibly fortunate to be a Bulldog and MSU is equally as happy to have Johnson, especially given that he has showings like Saturday's up his sleeve. When Johnson entered in the fifth inning, State was in deep trouble to say the least. Notre Dame had just claimed a 7-3 lead and the Irish had scored at least one run in each of the first five frames. The game was in danger of getting out of hand. That's when the junior right-hander steadied the ship.
Johnson quickly finished out the fifth, then limited the Irish to only a run and two hits over the next two innings. In the same span, the Bulldog offense rallied for three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth before Logan Tanner's go-ahead solo home run in the seventh. Landon Sims was perfect over the final two innings to close out the Bulldog victory and it was Johnson credited with the win. And to say it was well-earned is likely an incredible understatement.
"It's awesome," Sims said of what it all meant to Johnson. "He deserves it. He works really hard. It's obviously been a dream for him since he knew what the game of baseball was, to come play at Mississippi State."
But how did Johnson get the call to be the guy in the important late innings in such a key spot of the season? In such a deep bullpen with so many options, how did State head coach Chris Lemonis determine it was Johnson that could best calm things down for the Diamond Dawgs?
"During those times and big moments when the game is on the line, it's, 'Who do you trust?,'" Lemonis said. "[Johnson is] a guy that has garnered a lot of trust here over the last month or so and he's done it all year. He can come out and give us a two or three-inning stint and he comes in and throws strikes. That's what we're looking for and shoot, we've got to recycle him and get him ready to possibly throw again this weekend, but I'm really happy with the way he went out there and just competed."
Perhaps Johnson will indeed get another opportunity to shine in the Super Regional. Or maybe, just maybe, his next chance could come on college baseball's biggest stage of all if Mississippi State can win one more game over Notre Dame in the next two days.
Whenever it is, wherever it is, when Johnson next climbs the mound wearing that M-over-S on his cap, he'll be right where he always wanted to be.
"If anything, I kind of have to step back sometimes and say, 'Hey Preston, just enjoy this,'" Johnson said. "'You've worked this hard your whole life and now you're living your dream. Look around, take a minute to take in this atmosphere and just give all the glory to God.'"
Johnson, the Mississippi State relief pitcher, was front and center at Dudy Noble Field on Saturday as the Bulldogs topped Notre Dame 9-8 in the Starkville Super Regional. And while everyone could see the impact Johnson had on the proceedings as he entered out of the bullpen and hurled 2 2/3 strong innings, what wasn't as obvious was that the right-hander out of Crystal Springs was continuing to fulfill a lifelong goal as he helped push MSU to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
"Honestly, I'm speechless," Johnson said just moments following the game. "Only word I can really say is it's just a blessing. The Lord has blessed me with an opportunity to come and play at my dream school. I grew up watching [former Bulldog] Hunter [Renfroe]. We grew up two miles from each other. We still talk on a weekly basis. Watching him in the World Series and Super Regionals and just wearing the maroon and white [too], it's awesome. Following in his footsteps up through high school and into this big arena, it's awesome. It's just a blessing."
Johnson feels incredibly fortunate to be a Bulldog and MSU is equally as happy to have Johnson, especially given that he has showings like Saturday's up his sleeve. When Johnson entered in the fifth inning, State was in deep trouble to say the least. Notre Dame had just claimed a 7-3 lead and the Irish had scored at least one run in each of the first five frames. The game was in danger of getting out of hand. That's when the junior right-hander steadied the ship.
Johnson quickly finished out the fifth, then limited the Irish to only a run and two hits over the next two innings. In the same span, the Bulldog offense rallied for three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth before Logan Tanner's go-ahead solo home run in the seventh. Landon Sims was perfect over the final two innings to close out the Bulldog victory and it was Johnson credited with the win. And to say it was well-earned is likely an incredible understatement.
"It's awesome," Sims said of what it all meant to Johnson. "He deserves it. He works really hard. It's obviously been a dream for him since he knew what the game of baseball was, to come play at Mississippi State."
But how did Johnson get the call to be the guy in the important late innings in such a key spot of the season? In such a deep bullpen with so many options, how did State head coach Chris Lemonis determine it was Johnson that could best calm things down for the Diamond Dawgs?
"During those times and big moments when the game is on the line, it's, 'Who do you trust?,'" Lemonis said. "[Johnson is] a guy that has garnered a lot of trust here over the last month or so and he's done it all year. He can come out and give us a two or three-inning stint and he comes in and throws strikes. That's what we're looking for and shoot, we've got to recycle him and get him ready to possibly throw again this weekend, but I'm really happy with the way he went out there and just competed."
Perhaps Johnson will indeed get another opportunity to shine in the Super Regional. Or maybe, just maybe, his next chance could come on college baseball's biggest stage of all if Mississippi State can win one more game over Notre Dame in the next two days.
Whenever it is, wherever it is, when Johnson next climbs the mound wearing that M-over-S on his cap, he'll be right where he always wanted to be.
"If anything, I kind of have to step back sometimes and say, 'Hey Preston, just enjoy this,'" Johnson said. "'You've worked this hard your whole life and now you're living your dream. Look around, take a minute to take in this atmosphere and just give all the glory to God.'"
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