April 27, 2021

Walker Johnson, a sophomore pitcher from Mantee, has been tabbed as the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference Pitcher of the Week after his stand-out, three-appearance week. Johnson saw action as a reliever in one game at Southwest, April 20, where the Warriors picked up a 15-2 win and in both contests against Coahoma on April 25, where ECCC swept the Tigers, 15-8 and 7-5.

The sophomore got the win in the first game against Coahoma and earned a save in the nightcap. On the week, Johnson threw 6.1 innings, scattered just three hits, and surrendered no runs. He capped off the stellar performance with 12 strikeouts compared to just three walks. 

The 6'3 righthander is proud of the accomplishment but more proud of his team.

"This honor means a lot to me because it shows that I've put my team in a good position to be successful, which is my main job as a pitcher," said Walker. "It's also a rewarding feeling because continuing to improve has been a process over the years that hasn't been easy, but honors and recognitions like this definitely prove that it is worth the work."

ECCC's head baseball coach, Neal Holliman, said, "Walker is one of the finest men to ever come through East Central, and he continues to progress on the mound as his numbers continue to show he is reaching his full potential as a stand-out pitcher."

The wins over Coahoma clinched a home series in the NJCAA Region XXIII playoffs as the Warriors moved to 24-14 overall and to 19-9 in conference play. ECCC looks to play host to the Northwest Rangers in a best-of-three series the weekend of May 7, with more details to be determined. In the meantime, the Warriors have picked up two games in Perkinston on Thursday, April 29 as the team travels to Gulf Coast to face the Meridian Eagles at 3 p.m. and the MGCCC Bulldogs at 6 p.m.