RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Dynamic shortstop/utility player D’Auna Johnson of California Breeze-Fernald joined Extra Inning Softball’s Carlos Arias for a bonus episode of the Extra Inning Softball Podcast.
The 2022 Oregon-committed Northern California product talked about overcoming her fears after joining a new school as a freshman in high school and Cal Breeze’s outstanding run at the PGF 14U Premier Nationals this past summer.
Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff.
*****
D’Auna Johnson admits to having symptoms of anxiety, depression and even to crying herself to sleep in the past like many teenagers trying to navigate their way through daily life at a new school.
But no one would ever suspect that after witnessing the Oregon-committed shortstop’s fearless and ferocious play on the softball diamond.
The Sacramento-product has developed into one of the top 2022 prospects in the nation and has blossomed into a vocal leader for California Breeze-Fernald and Sheldon High of Sacramento, California.
“D’Auna is a dynamic player … she is a six-tool kid,” Cal Breeze coach Ryan Fernald said. “She can put her team on the board with one swing, hit a gap or steal a bag for her team. She has the defensive range coaches dream of and a strong arm to go with it. Her mental game and softball IQ continue to grow every season. She just started playing shortstop about two years ago but one would never know by watching her play.
“D’Auna has played for me since 10s and it has been a lot of fun teaching her the game and watching her blossom into one of the best players in the nation. Having been with us since this team started, she and the core group of kids that started this team with her, she is a leader on the field. She used to only lead by example, which great leaders do, but she has also started to lead vocally as well. Her teammates have helped her in that growing process, letting her know that they aren’t afraid of the pressure and will step up when their turn comes.”
Uncommitted 2022 catcher/third baseman/outfielder Layla Towner said Johnson brings many different talents to Cal Breeze.
“Overall, she’s the player who makes the non-routine plays almost every game,” Towner said. “Her glove work is amazing. If you watch her field the ball it is very smooth and not choppy. Her transfers are nice and fast. She is able to react to the ball no matter where it is hit. Her amazing footwork is what allows her to get to the backhands that are nearly impossible to get to, as well as the forehands.”
“Also, she brings the leadership role we all need. She in the player who makes the adjustments in the box when no one is making contact and helps us to start a rally and score runs. Her bat is also an amazing aspect that helps us on the field, not only because she has strength, but because she can quickly find the mistake in her previous at-bat and make the change and fix the mistake.”
Towner said Johnson is very good at taking criticism and adapting quickly, making her very coachable. But it’s the intangibles that make Johnson unique.
“What makes her unique is her character and her personality,” Towner said. “She is a very loving teammate, who makes you laugh even when we aren’t winning the game. Her personality gives off a good vibe, allowing her to pass on that vibe to the whole team when we are down from losing. Overall, she is the most outstanding player on my team and, obviously, the best. She has all the aspects of a college D1 softball player.”
Uncommitted 2022 catcher/third baseman Laila Ledesma has played with Johnson on the same teams since both were 9 years old.
“She’s always been a stud on the field, a natural leader and great role model on and off the field,” Ledesma said. “She brings great energy and positivity to the team. Her skills are great, she’s very athletic and covers lots of ground. Offensively, my team and I are very confident she’s going to make something happen. She’s very consistent whether it be a power hit over the fence or a simple base hit. D’Auna is the true definition of an athlete.”
*** Click on the words in bold to discover hidden Easter egg links
*****
EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: D’Auna Johnson
Hometown: Sacramento, California
High School: Sheldon High of Sacramento, California
Club Team: California Breeze-Fernald 16U
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: SS/UT
Nickname: “D,” “DJ,” or “6.”
Twitter: @daunajohnson
High School/Travel Ball Highlights: 2nd Team All-Delta League, 2nd Team All-Metro, qualified for PGF Premier Nationals four out of past five years and finished 7th in 2019, played in most competitive tournaments and invitationals year in year out, finished Top 20 in Colorado Sparkler Power Pool, played in Oklahoma for the USA All-American games, hit three homers at the Mercado Players Classic, which started the process of verbally committing to Oregon.
*****
Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this past summer?
This was by far one of the best experiences I’ve had at PGF. We went into the tournament with 13 players, including one being injured, which meant that we all had to work together to achieve our goal and that is exactly what we did. Every player on our team stepped up in clutch situations when we needed it which helped us come out on top in a lot of games. Every inning of every game we went 100 percent and I couldn’t have been more proud of what we accomplished.
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
One thing I learned about myself this year is that I am not perfect and I will make mistakes … it’s just inevitable. I have always tried to hold myself to perfection in every aspect of life, which can be extremely detrimental. Over time I have worked with my mental strength and shifted my mindset and I now know how to deal with the adversity that come with mistakes.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
The high school I went to my freshman year I didn’t really know too many people and often felt like an outsider. At my previous schools I was used to having friends and being surrounded by people I was comfortable with, so going to a whole new environment my freshman year was a hard pill to swallow. Every day at school, I felt really isolated from everyone and started to lose sight of who I was. I always had symptoms of anxiety and depression and cried many nights because I felt like I was never going to fit in at that school, which frightened me. Having had that experience, I’ve learned that it’s okay to be my only friend at times, to be confident in my own skin, and that I didn’t need other people around me to make me feel secure. Going into this school with that mindset has helped me a ton and has made me comfortable enough to start new friendships.
*** Go inside “Extra Star Power” to learn more about one of the top 2022 prospects in the nation.