By Garret Pasono
Contributing Writer
Optimism and progression are important things to have in sports. Junior third baseman Thad Johnson of the baseball team has that, and then some.
“The main focus for every year is what it has always been; make the playoffs,” Johnson said. “I want to help turn this program around.”
Throughout Johnson’s career, winning was the norm. During high school and summer ball, Johnson was accustomed to winning game after game. College was a bit of an adjustment for him.
In his three years thus far in the Brown and White, the Bonnies have a combined record of 46-78-2. Johnson, along with the expertise of Coach Larry Sudbrook, realized that he had the talent and attitude to take on a larger role for the team.
Since his sophomore year, Johnson has doubled as a third basemen and a closing pitcher. Although it seems uncommon to do at the Division I level, Johnson has taken it in stride and enjoys the challenge of playing both sides of the ball.
“I love doing that. It’s a lot of fun, and I have always been a pitcher,” Johnson said. “I started throwing better, and he made me a closer during my sophomore year. I like coming in and shutting the door on the other team.”
Growth is a big factor to which Johnson attributes this success.
“The biggest thing was that I lacked a lot of focus,” Johnson said. “Now it’s all about having a plan when you get up there and not wasting any at-bats. Going through those tough games as a freshman has really helped me now.”
Not only does Johnson enjoy pitching, he has put up some impressive numbers on the other side of the ball as a hitter.
Summer 2014 in the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL), Johnson hit .342 for the eventual champion Hornell Dodgers, which was the ninth best batting average in the league. He also drove in 36 RBI, which was good for third best in the NYCBL.
This season has been better for Johnson in the Brown and White. He is currently batting .376, which is by far the best on the team. He also has 13 doubles and 29 RBI.
Baseball was a part of the Johnson household, and Thad was exposed to it at the early age of four thanks to his older brother Seth, who is now the director of marketing and promotions.
“He brought me under his wing and really taught me things about the game,” Thad said of his brother Seth. “I always had to go to his games and I really got into it. Then he started bringing me to mine, and it grew from there.”
The sports studies major still has one more year of eligibility remaining and is not giving up hope of continuing to play after school or at least remaining in baseball as a possible career path.
“I think my chances of playing might be a bit limited, but it has always been my dream,” Johnson said. “If not, I would love to get on an organization through scouting or something along those lines and work my way up.”
At the conclusion of this collegiate season, Johnson will return to play for the Hornell Dodgers in the NYCBL.
pasonogh11@bonaventure.edu
