Johns, Watkins 2nd Team All-West Region selections

Softball

5-13-09

Grand Canyon University softball players Randi Johns and Yasmeen Watkins were chosen as College Sports Information Directors of America/Daktronics Second Team All-West Region selections.

Johns, a senior first baseman from Waddell, Ariz., batted a team-best .418 with 10 home runs, 67 RBI and a school-record 18 doubles this year. Johns led the Antelopes in slugging percentage (.692), on-base percentage (.526), runs scored (56), walks (38) and hit-by-pitches (9).

Watkins, a senior second baseman from Phoenix, hit .389 with 10 home runs, 12 doubles and a school-record 77 RBI.

"These two have been obvious players in terms of being able to put up numbers," GCU coach Ann Pierson said. "They have been consistent the whole time they've been here. I think I can speak objectively, as proud of them as I am, in my opinion, they are first team selections. As happy as I am for them, we have other players who were deserving of this honor, Tracy Lubken and Tana Holtorf."

A four-year starter for the Antelopes, Johns holds GCU's career records in batting average, hits, home runs, RBI, doubles, runs and walks. She was an NCAA Independent All-American as a freshman in 2006. That year she was also selected as the NCAA Independent Rookie of the Year.

"It's really a good feeling to know I was able to accomplish a lot in softball," Johns said. "I got to live the dream. Now that it's over, it's pretty hard for me to adjust. Come September, I'm not going to have to go team meetings or get ready for fall ball ... I feel at peace because I got to accomplish everything that I wanted to, and I don't think I could've done any better."

Watkins (pictured) cranked 23 home runs in her two-year career at Grand Canyon, setting school records for RBI in back-to-back seasons.

"Obviously, it's a huge honor to even be selected," Watkins said. "We just worked really hard this year, and all the hard work paid off. It's the hardest we've worked as a team, and it pushed every one of us to do our best."

In 2008, Watkins was a first team all-conference choice after leading the Lopes in batting average (.405), home runs (13), RBI (62) and slugging percentage (.732). Her 13 homers established a school season record.

"I'm definitely going to miss the game in general," said Watkins, who plans to get into coaching. "I'm gonna miss this last year's team that I played on. I felt we all connected very well. That's a hard thing to walk away from."

Johns, an Academic All-American who was a member of three straight NCAA Academic National Championship teams, is leaving behind quite a legacy at Grand Canyon.

"The thing I'm gonna miss most is the camaraderie," Johns said. "Softball's been my outlet. If I'm having a bad day, the thing I could always look forward to is getting out on that field with 15 other girls. I could always escape with softball."

West Region Team

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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