Softball Inks Two Signees – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/16/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 16, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio— The Ohio State softball team added two players to its 2001-02 roster Monday. OSU head coach Linda Kalafatis announced the signing of Meghan Rowlands of Columbus, Ohio, and Jennifer (JJ) Johnson of La Mirada, Calif.
As a junior, Rowlands was named a Division II First Team All-Ohio player. During her sophomore season, she was tabbed to both the All-Central District and All-Central Catholic League First Teams. She led the team in every category, except doubles, and was honored with the team batting award. She also established the school record for triples. Her freshman year, she started and played every inning at shortstop on the varsity squad.
“Meghan may be the best athlete to come out of Ohio since I’ve been in the state,” Kalafatis said. “She’s a combination of tremendous speed and strength and that translates to power. She could play wherever we need her. She has a tremendous arm and is a true base stealing threat. Meghan’s potential is exciting to think about.”
Johnson, the 2000 La Mirada High School softball most valuable offensive player of the year, is a three-time All-Suburban League Conference team member. She also was named to the Daily News All-Area team as a junior and the ASA All-Tournament team as a freshman. As a sophomore, Johnson was tabbed the team’s defensive player of the year.
“JJ is a well-skilled middle infielder that has softball running through her veins,” Kalafatis said. “She gives us the versatility of playing her at shortstop or second base. She does a lot of the little things that help a team win and she’s continuing to get better as she works out with her infield coach. She’s a super kid, a good student and she comes from a very supportive family.”
The Buckeyes open the regular season Feb. 9-11, at the Auburn Tournament in Auburn, Ala.
