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Johnson makes his pro debut

Photo by Steve Dipaola/Creighton University Former Creighton pitcher Evan Johnson, the son of Kurt Johnson (FDSH graduate) and Jacy (Ollinger) Johnson (SEHS graduate), pitches for the Blue Jays.

BOISE, Idaho — It’s been a hectic month for Evan Johnson.

The former Iowa Central pitcher made his professional debut here Monday night for the Everett AquaSox, a Class A short-season affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Johnson, the son of Fort Dodge natives Kurt and Jacy (Ollinger) Johnson, got the start against the Boise Hawks.

“There were some nerves,” Johnson said. “I think I was excited more than anything. Once I settled in, it was fine.”

Over three innings on the mound, Johnson allowed just one hit with three strikeouts and no walks. He 57 pitches in all, with 40 of them going for strikes.

The 5-foot-11 Johnson pitched for two seasons with the Tritons before finding a home at Creighton. The 22-year-old helped the Bluejays reach the NCAA Tournament this past year, going 9-2 with 74 strikeouts in just over 77 innings on the mound.

“It’s crazy how quickly we went from Iowa to Arizona to Washington,” he said. “The first three-or-four days felt like weeks from all the testing, paper work, meeting new people and travel.

“All that time felt like forever, but when you get into the game, you almost take a step back and realize where you are because it actually moved so quickly.”

Johnson is now working with fellow prospects for the Mariners including 2019 first round draft pick George Kirby and former North Iowa Area standout Brandon Williamson.

Kirby, from Elon, led NCAA Div. I with a 17.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio this past season. Williamson pitched for the Trojans in the ICCAC before landing at TCU.

The AquaSox are part of the Northwest League and compete in the North Division. They play their home games at Funko Field in Everett, Wash. Jose Moreno is the manager.

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