FARGO, N.D.—North Dakota State University's former Summit League Pitcher of the Year and NFCA all-Midwest Region performer Whitney Johnson will try her hand at professional softball in the Netherlands this summer. Johnson will pitch for Centrals 1 in Utrecht, just outside of Amsterdam. Each team is allowed two American players on the roster.
 
"I am excited, not only for the opportunity to continue playing, but also for the opportunity to travel overseas," said Johnson, a native of Lake Crystal, Minn., who will leave for the Netherlands on May 20 and return to the United States in mid-August. She is the second NDSU softball player to compete overseas joining former NCAA Division II All-American catcher Shelly Rhein, who played professionally in Italy.
 
It will be a busy summer for Johnson, who graduates with a bachelor's degree in human development and family science on May 17 in the Fargodome. After completing her diamond tour in the Netherlands, she plans to start pursuit of a master's degree in the Child Life program at the University of La Verne in Southern California in late August. Her future plans include becoming a child life specialist at a children's hospital and perhaps get into coaching.
 
For the past month and a half, Johnson has been getting herself back in playing shape again throwing batting practice against her old teammates. She has plenty of motivation as the Centrals 1 head coach told her, "I hope you're in shape because your first game will be against the best team in the Netherlands, most of their players are on the national team."
 
"We are excited for this opportunity for Whitney. It is great to see her pitching again after an outstanding career. We wish her the best of luck this summer," said NDSU head coach Darren Mueller.

Johnson completed an impressive senior year at North Dakota State with a 23-9 record with 10 shutouts, two saves and a 1.75 earned run average. She struck out 265 and walked 85 in 216.1 innings pitched. Opponents hit only .173 off Johnson.

The 2013 Summit League Pitcher of the Year, Johnson led the Bison to a 17-1 record and the league's regular season championship. She was named the league's Pitcher of the Week six times, and earned all-Summit League first-team and all-tournament honors during the 2013 season. Johnson was a two-time Summit League tournament MVP during her career.

In Summit League play in 2013, Johnson compiled a 12-1 record with four shutouts and a 1.45 earned average. She had 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 87 innings pitched. With 994 career strikeouts, Johnson became the Summit League's all-time strikeout leader against Fort Wayne (4-19-13), passing Western Illinois' pitcher and current head coach Holly (Killion) Van Vlymen (880, 1997-2000).

Johnson is the NDSU all-time leader in appearances (153), games started (131) and innings pitched (861.2). She was second in opponent batting average (.185), strikeouts per 7 innings (8.08 avg/g) and strikeouts. Johnson ranks third all-time with an 85-49 record, including 35 shutouts.
Whitney is the daughter of Bruce and Gail Johnson. She graduated from Lake Crystal Wellcome-Memorial High School. Johnson led LCWM to the program's first state tournament appearance in 2009. She struck out a Minnesota High School record 435 batters, including a single-game record 21, in rolling to all-state first team and state all-tournament honors in 2009.

Johnson played summer league softball for the Minnesota Irish and led that team to the 2008 USSA 16-Under National Championship in Overland Park, Kan. She earned the tournament's MVP, outstanding pitcher and defensive player honors after posting a 0.00 earned run average with 118 strikeouts.