Confronted with a difficult decision, senior pitcher Brandon Johnson went with his gut instinct. And you can say that things have gone pretty swimmingly for Lemont.
A nationally rated swimmer who had been competing since age 7, the right-handed Johnson turned down multiple Division I swimming offers to achieve his college baseball dream.
“It was a terrible way to have to make that choice,” Johnson said. “I love swimming. Some of my best friends I’ve met through swimming. I love those guys and miss them every day.
“Baseball just felt more fresh for the next four years of my life. Baseball felt like where my future was.”
The present looks pretty good, too. Johnson showcased his versatility Tuesday during a 10-0 five-inning victory over Evergreen Park in a South Suburban Conference crossover.
Johnson (1-1), who recently committed to Lake Land College, worked four innings for Lemont (1-1, 1-0). He struck out four, did not allow a walk and surrendered just one hit.
In his third season on the varsity, Johnson also can hit. He went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two stolen bases, driving in the first run on Evergreen Park (2-1, 0-1) in the second inning.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Johnson has a game built on control, poise and balance.
“When I was younger, I’d say I threw the ball harder than most kids,” Johnson said. “Now I’d say I have a little bit above average velocity, probably around 84-86.
“I’m not going to necessarily blow it by people, but I have definitely in the past year been working on my control. The curveball, especially, has become my favorite strikeout pitch.”
Lemont coach Brian Storako said Johnson’s competitive nature and work ethic are defining characteristics.
“Brandon has always been a hard worker,” Storako said. “He has very high expectations. That hard work has put him in position to be one of the top two-way players in the area.”
Senior shortstop Gavin Kelby, who had an RBI double in Tuesday’s victory, called Johnson’s poise and toughness crucial predictors of his success.
“The thing that separates Brandon apart from anyone else is his composure,” Kelby said. “It’s something anyone can look up to, no matter how old they are.
“It’s sometimes scary how calm he can be.”
An only child, Johnson began swimming and playing baseball about a year apart. As a freshman, he was part of Lemont’s state-qualifying 200-yard freestyle relay.
He spent the next two years swimming with the elite Hinsdale Swim Club.
With his shoulder and arm development, swimming had a pronounced impact on his pitching style. Learning how to compete at the highest levels also has been a significant byproduct.
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“I was at some national meets in Florida, and there were probably 3,000 people watching me,” Johnson said. “In swimming, the spotlight is pretty much always on you.
“I think that has really helped me deal with high-pressure situations in baseball.”
As a junior last spring, Johnson (5-1) struck out 57 with a 0.88 ERA in 39 2/3 innings. He issued just 16 walks. A middle infielder when he’s not pitching, he hit .311 in 52 at-bats.
The memory of giving up the winning hit last season against Nazareth in a Class 3A sectional semifinal is one of the reasons Johnson turned down college swimming offers from Minnesota, Miami of Ohio and West Virginia.
“Losing that game hurt a lot,” he said. “After that, I decided I really love baseball and I am going to make sure that never happens again.
“Swimming was great, but it consumed a lot of my time and I wasn’t able to lift or do the weight program.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
