Johnson ready to speed into Arkansas softball’s season opener on Thursday

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – No matter who is in the pitching circle for Texas State on Thursday afternoon when Arkansas opens its softball season, it would be advisable to be ready for Arkansas lead off hitter Reagan Johnson’s first at bat of the season.

The sophomore speedster will be one of stars leading the No. 13 Razorbacks in their 2025 season opener against the host Bearcats at 5 p.m.

It’s the first of five contests Arkansas will play against four foes this weekend in a San Marcos tournament that will be televised by ESPN +

Johnson, who led the team in batting average (.380), hits (73) and stolen bases (12) last season, was asked what goes through her head while leading off.

“Would you believe me if I told you that I don’t think about anything?” Johnson said. “Honestly, the only thing that goes through my mind is something that my dad has implemented into my head since I was little.

“It’s to take the pitcher’s head off. So, I go in there and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to hit this ball right back at their forehead.’ And that’s the only thing I think about when I’m in the box.”

Johnson will also go to the plate with a chip on her shoulder as one of only two of the 14 returning first-team All-SEC players from last season to not be named to the 2025 preseason squad.

“When I saw it, I was a little upset,” Johnson said. “But I just had to kind of realize that, one, I can use it as motivation, and two, that it doesn’t matter. Rankings don’t matter. You still have to perform, and you still have to do what everyone wants you to do and what you want to do for yourself.”

Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel is thrilled to have a returning star like Johnson, who has a career average of .379 entering the season – 18 points higher than former Razorback and current assistant coach Danielle Gibson’ school record of .361.

“She’s been incredible,” Deifel said. “She had a really huge fall. It was a fall for all of them just working and grinding and figuring out how to be stronger and better and just fine-tune those tools.

“And it’s no different for Rea. She’s really, really fine-tuned all her offensive tools and she’s just in a really good spot.”

It’s also a chance for Johnson to play close to hometown of Karnes City, Texas.

“I’ve actually never played at Texas State before, but I’m very, very excited because it is about an hour or so from my house,” Johnson said. “My sister lives there, and I just have a lot of family that’s going to be coming in to see me. I’m very excited.”

In addition to facing Texas State, Arkansas will play twice Friday against Lipscomb (1:15 p.m.) and Bradley (3:30) and a pair of Saturday games against Bradley (10 a.m.) and San Diego (12:15 p.m.).

“I just think that are excited to get going,” Deifel said. “There always comes a point where you are tired of facing each other and want to face somebody else and they are just really excited and in a good spot.

“They are just ready to put all their hard work out on the field.”

Deifel notes Texas State has a solid program with 47 wins and an NCAA Tournament berth last season and the nod as the Sun Belt preseason favorite this season.

“Thursday night, Texas State is really strong and have been really strong,” Deifel said. “They have graduated a lot of their (pitching) innings, graduated some of their speed so you just never know.

“But what they have always done is a really great job of recruiting and they get that really great, tough talent out of Texas. So we are ready for a battle.”

Photo courtesy of Razorbacks Communications