Maya Johnson (softball)

Maya Johnson
Johnson at Belmont in 2026
Oklahoma City Spark
Pitcher
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Maya Johnson is an American professional softball player for the Oklahoma City Spark of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). She played college softball at Belmont and was named the NFCA National Pitcher of the Year in 2026.

College career

Johnson was originally committed to play college softball at Pittsburgh, however, Pitt's medical staff did not clear her to compete, forcing her to redshirt and enter the NCAA transfer portal.[1] She committed to play at Bowling Green State, which had agreed to clear her for competition. Two weeks later, the coach who recruited her left the program for an opportunity at Bradley. Johnson had hoped to follow, but was once again denied approval to play. She returned to the transfer portal, before transferring to Belmont.[2]

During her redshirt freshman year in 2023, she appeared in 22 games with 14 starts, and posted an 11–6 record, with a 2.26 earned run average (ERA) and 207 strikeouts in 133 innings pitched. During her redshirt sophomore year in 2024, she appeared in 26 games with 20 starts, and posted a 16–5 record, with a 1.49 ERA and 216 strikeouts in 141+1⁄3 innings pitched.[3]

During her redshirt junior year in 2025, she appeared in 35 games with 32 starts, and posted a 24–6 record, with a 1.52 ERA and 366 strikeouts in 207 innings pitched. She ranked first nationally in strikeouts (366), strikeout-to-walk ratio (16.64), strikeouts per seven innings (12.4), WHIP (0.65), walks allowed per seven innings (0.74), and shutouts (11).[3] On February 9, 2025, during a game against Eastern Kentucky, she pitched her first career perfect game and the second in program history.[4] She helped Belmont win the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) tournament and advance to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.[5] Following the season she was named the MVC Pitcher of the Year and an NFCA First Team All-American. She became the first Belmont player of the NCAA Division I era named First Team All-American in any sport.[6]

During her redshirt senior year in 2026, she appeared in 34 games with 31 starts, and posted a 28–3 record, with two saves, a 0.78 ERA and 397 strikeouts in 215+2⁄3 innings pitched. She led the nation in ERA (0.78), strikeouts (397), shutouts (15), strikeouts per seven innings (12.9), WHIP (0.68), and strikeout-to-walk ratio (11.03). She had three no-hitters and one perfect game during the season. She helped Belmont win the 2026 MVC tournament and advance to the 2026 NCAA tournament.[7] Following the season she was named the Softball America Pitcher of the Year and NFCA National Pitcher of the Year.[8][9] She became the first honoree from Belmont and the Missouri Valley Conference to win the award.[10]

Professional career

On May 4, 2026, Johnson was drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Spark in the 2026 AUSL College Draft.[11] On May 26, 2026, she signed a rookie contract with the Spark.[12]

Personal life

Johnson was diagnosed with lupus at 15 years old.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Player Spotlight: 2021 Pitt Commit Maya Johnson… "When Life Drops You A Hurdle, You Jump It!"". extrainningsoftball.com. December 15, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Haduck, Alyssa (May 12, 2026). "How Belmont's Maya Johnson managed lupus to become the country's most dominant pitcher". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Maya Johnson". belmontbruins.com. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Maya Johnson Pitches Perfect Game as Softball Tops Eastern Kentucky". belmontbruins.com. February 9, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Belmont Softball Wins MVC Championship". mvc-sports.com. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Maya Johnson Named NFCA First Team All-American". mvc-sports.com. May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Softball Clinches Back-to-Back MVC Tournament Championships". belmontbruins.com. May 9, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Johnson Earns Softball America Pitcher of the Year Honors". belmontbruins.com. May 19, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Johnson Named NFCA/Portolite Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-American". belmontbruins.com. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Frahm repeats as NFCA DI Player of the Year; Johnson named Portolite/NFCA Pitcher of the Year". nfca.org. May 27, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Maya Johnson Selected No. 3 Overall in 2026 AUSL Draft". mvc-sports.com. May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  12. ↑ Collins, Savanna (May 26, 2026). "Belmont Pitcher Maya Johnson signs with the OKC Spark". theausl.com. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
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