Johns Leads Bulls Offense as USF Softball Readies for Conference Tournament
South Florida Bulls (42-13, 12-5 AAC)
Opponent: East Carolina
Date: May 12, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Location: Greenville, N.C
TV:Â ESPN+
Game Notes
By Joey Johnston
USF outfielder Alexis Johns recently completed her bachelor's degree, but couldn't participate in last Saturday's graduation ceremonies because the Bulls were on the road.
"It's kind of a shame I couldn't walk in my cap and gown,''Â Johns said.
Walk? Johns, the NCAA leader in stolen bases, doesn't do that. She runs.
"I'd like to go through it (graduation) this summer for the experience, so maybe I'll sprint across the stage,''Â Johns said with a laugh.
It would be appropriate. As the No. 3-seeded Bulls (42-13) prepare for Thursday's American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal against the No. 6 and home-standing East Carolina Pirates (20-35) at Greenville, N.C., Johns will be USF's most compelling offensive factor.
Johns, a Sarasota native, is batting a team-leading .353 with a .443 on-base percentage. She already has AAC and USF records for single-season stolen bases (54 steals in 56 attempts).
"Lexi has only been caught twice and both times she looked at me and said, 'They didn't tag me,' '' USF coach Ken Eriksen said. "After looking at it, I think she was right. What she has done speaks for itself. What a great season.''
Johns isn't done yet. She hopes to add on during the AAC and NCAA tournaments, giving her the postseason showcase she craved during her first two seasons at Florida International University.
"I didn't get to USF last season until January, so I was getting used to everything,'' Johns said. "I think I have a much better mental approach now and I'm feeling much more comfortable this season.''
Obviously.
"I think Lexi is the fastest base-to-base person I've ever coached,'' said Eriksen, who has worked with the U.S. National Team and U.S. Olympic Team in addition to his USF career. "She has incredible starting-line speed, I mean 0 to 60 in nothing flat. Her speed was already good, but she has gone from really good player to elite.
"As a baserunner or base stealer at this level, it's like watching Rickey Henderson or Lou Brock. She's fast, instinctive and just knows what she's doing. When thoroughbreds are born, you just let them run, right? So we're letting her run. We're not messing with her. She knows how to play the game of fast-pitch softball. She has the green light. I just tell her to let me know (what she's doing) and we'll be good.''
Eriksen said he appreciates Johns'Â impact on the game because her base running puts pressure on the defense, which has to move laterally and leave holes exposed for other batters.
Johns said her game plan begins at the plate, where she's constantly devising a way to reach base. From there, she's confident about taking the next bag (or two).
"It's all about getting a good lead, reading the pitchers and playing with confidence,'' Johns said. "I think it feeds into how we play. We're not a home-run hitting team. We hit singles, run the bases, play defense and pitch with Georgina (Corrick). I think if we put all those elements together, we really like our chances.''
Johns said her teammates generally call her "Lexi'' or "Lex.'' Also "Jackie,'' like Jackie Robinson. When Johns arrived at USF, she had several options for a uniform number but selected No. 42, the permanently retired number in major-league baseball that was made famous by Robinson.
He wasn't a bad base-stealer, either.
"I'm not exactly sure how fast I am,'' Johns said. "We have other fast players on our team, but we never race. It's more than just speed. You need instincts and anticipation to make that speed work.''
Just say that Johns is fast enough to make a difference. Whether it's base-stealing or base-running, look for her setting a positive tone for the Bulls. So it's run, don't walk … until her formal graduation day.
