JOHNSON BREAKS RECORD, MARAUDER SOFTBALL MOVING UP RECORD CHARTS

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - Paige Johnson set the Marauder record for RBI in a single season with 65 helping lead the Marauder softball team to a pair of victories, 10-2 and 19-8 against Glendale, Tuesday afternoon at Marauder Stadium.

And oh by the way, AVC also won its 17 consecutive game ranking it third for the longest win streak in school history. The 2006 team won 28 games in a row and the 2008 team won 19 games in a row.

Johnson was 2-for-3 with three RBI in the first game and 4-for-5 with five RBI in the second. Johnson broke the previous record of 64 by Adriana Perez, who currently plays for Team Mexico. Johnson is on pace to hit the 80 RBI mark this season.

"It feels crazy to know that I will be in school history for most RBI in a season. I'm also honored that I was able to beat Adrianna Perez who is an amazing ball player. She is someone who I've watched on TV and admired for being good so it's crazy to me that I was able to beat one of my idols," Johnson said. "It (the record) definitely was a team effort because if the girls didn't get on I wouldn't be able to hit them in. I am truly humbled to play with an amazing group of teammates and coaches."

Johnson also hit two home runs (one in each game) to help lead the team to each victory. She now has 12 home runs on the season ranking her tied for fourth in school history in a single season. Dolly Stevens also hit her 11th home run of the season putting her tied for sixth. Perez owns the record with 17 home runs on 2017.

"We have been playing great. We have great team camaraderie and knowing that the girl next to you is going to have your back is a great feeling. You don't get on a team often where everyone gets along and genuinely cares about each other on and off the field and I think that's why we are having so much success," said Johnson. "We are all seeing the ball really well and getting solid hits. We all believe in each other and that's part of the reason we have been having so much success this season."

The Marauders are currently ranked 15th in the state and should move up after victories against College of the Canyons and Citrus College, currently ranked ahead of them.

AVC (25-5, 11-0) have eight games remaining on its schedule, two very important games against COC on April 11 at COC, and two more at home against Citrus on April 25. The Marauders are 14-0 at home this season.