LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky sophomore shortstop Molly Johnson has been a force to be reckoned with this season as the leader of the UK offense. Not only does she pace the Blue and White, but the second-year player from Arizona ranks among the nation?s best in several offensive categories.
Johnson is having an incredible season from the plate, batting at a .401 clip. The slugger has brought in 37 RBI, hit 18 doubles, two triples and six bombs. Johnson is currently tallying a .683 slugging percentage while reaching base at a rate of .465.
Prior to Kentucky’s win over Eastern Kentucky Wednesday, Johnson ranked 10th in the country for doubles per game at a mark of 0.38. Her 10th place ranking in the doubles categories is a personal-high, but she is also among the top-100 in the nation in several other categories. Johnson is 44th getting hit by a pitch with a 0.21 clip per-game, which helps her on-base percentage. Her batting average ranks 66th in the country, while ranking 75th for slugging percentage. She also finds herself ranked 81st in the country with 0.79 RBI a game.
Johnson has surpassed several career-highs already this season. The sophomore has already set career-highs with hits (57), doubles (18), triples (2), RBI (37), total bases (97), sacrifice hits (5) and stolen bases (16). The Wildcats still have six games remaining in their regular season.
Adding to her already great season, in just her second year Johnson has thrust herself among Kentucky?s best-ever. Johnson has risen into the rankings of several school records. Offensively she is sixth with 13 home runs, seventh with 29 doubles and ninth with 73 career RBI. Johnson is also among the school?s best defensively having already registered 225 assists which is eighth-best in school annals.
Johnson has started all 48 games this season for UK at shortstop. Saturday, in game one of the doubleheader with Georgia Johnson is schedule to make her 100th consecutive start in a UK uniform.
Johnson in NCAA Rankings:
Doubles Per Game – 10th – 0.38
Hit by Pitch Per Game – 44th – 0.21
Batting Average – 56th – 0.396
Slugging Percentage – 75th – 0.683
Runs Batted in Per Game – 81st – 0.79
Johnson in UK Record Book:
Home Runs – 6th – 13
Doubles – 7th – 29
Assists – 8th – 225
RBI – 9th – 73
