WHERE ARE THEY NOW: FROM CHARGER TO NATIONAL CHAMPION

The Ole Miss Rebels were the surprise of the NCAA College World Series this year in Omaha (NE) as they won the national championship from Oklahoma Sooners in two straight games.  Enjoying that moment was relief pitcher Brandon Johnson who struck out three straight batters in the ninth inning of the clinching 4-2 victory.  Johnson is two years removed from being a member of the Columbia State Chargers where he spent his first two years of collegiate baseball.

In the past two seasons in Oxford, Johnson has appeared in 42 games with a 4.45 ERA, a 2-3 W-L record with 13 saves.  In 64.2 innings pitched, he has struck out 99 batters with 31 walks while allowing 32 earned runs.  In games he appeared in his senior season, the Rebels were 16-8.

As a Charger, he was 8-0 over his two years with his freshman season ending early due to the pandemic.  He had a 3.21 ERA with three complete games as a starter with one save.  In his 80.2 innings pitched in those two seasons, he had 109 strikeouts and 32 walks to go with 27 earned runs.