April 11, 2011
Senior Heather Johnson has played a key role in the success of the Notre Dame softball team during the course of her career. Through 33 games this season, the Irish are 26-7 overall, with a 5-0 mark in the BIG EAST. Johnson checks in with a .368 average and leads the team with seven home runs and 36 RBI. A native of Los Alamitos, Calif., Johnson has excelled at third base this season, making just one error in 33 games at the hot corner. The talented slugger is coming off a 2010 season that saw her tie a Notre Dame record with 17 home runs in a season while delivering a team-best 68 RBI on the way to second team all-BIG EAST honors. Johnson starts the week with a .348 career average (5th all-time) and ranks fifth in career doubles (46), fifth in home runs (30) and is the all-time leader in RBI (186). A 2010 Notre Dame graduate with a degree in psychology, Johnson and her teammates open a six-game home stand on Tuesday (April 12) with a doubleheader versus Bowling Green. The first pitch set for 4:00 p.m. (ET) at Melissa Cook Stadium. Last week, UND.com’s Adam Schmitz had a chance to visit with Heather Johnson and learn more about the slugging third baseman and the Notre Dame softball team.
Who have been your role models growing up? For me, my parents have been my role models growing up.
Why did you choose to attend Notre Dame? Notre Dame just fit. It felt right.
Where are you living this year? I am living in the Oak Hill condos.
What has been your favorite class at Notre Dame? Criminology has been my favorite class.
What is your favorite dining hall food? My favorite food at the dining hall would be grilled cheese.
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant? Chipotle and Bibler’s are my favorite off-campus restaurants.
What is your favorite activity to participate in outside of softball? When I’m not playing softball, I love to shop.
What are your plans after college? After graduating from Notre Dame, I want to go to law school.
What is your dream job outside of softball? My dream job outside of softball would be to become a prosecuting attorney.
Who is your favorite professional athlete? I don’t really watch sports, but would have to say that Derek Jeter is my favorite professional athlete.
Do you have a pregame routine and meal? Since we usually get up early for games I would have to say my pregame meal would be eggs and coffee, but I don’t really have anything specific. I have a lot of routines and they are usually done in threes. Three hair ties, three pregame swings, etc.
What is a typical weekday like for you, during the season? My typical weekday really depends on the day because I am only taking three classes, but I will get up for class, then I hit before practice. I will then go to practice for a couple hours and then head to conditioning or a lift. After that I go home and make dinner and watch Wheel of Fortune.
How were you first introduced to the game of softball? My brother played baseball and I wanted to be like him, so I started to play softball.
What has been your favorite moment as a player at Notre Dame? Winning the BIG EAST Tournament has been my favorite moment as a player at Notre Dame.
What is your favorite away field to play on and why? I enjoy playing anywhere the fans are rowdy and loud. Despite everything I like to play at Michigan, Alabama, Florida and any where in the south.
What are your goals for the team this year? As a team, our goal is to win the BIG EAST, get past the NCAA regionals and then get to the World Series.
Who is the funniest girl on the team? I would have to say myself. I am pretty funny.
What are your individual goals this year? I have a lot of personal goals, but I want to do whatever it takes to get this team to a place it has never gone before. Stay steady on the field, and hit the ball hard every time.
What’s your favorite guy’s dorm? Morrissey Hall is my favorite guy’s dorm.
What is your favorite place on campus that most Notre Dame students don’t know about? My favorite place is in the batter’s box at Melissa Cook Stadium. There is no better place and no better feeling.