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Recruiting Spotlight: 2026 Power-Hitting Utility Star Riley Johnson… Happy To Be Staying in The Sunshine State (Dec. 9, 2024)

By Brentt Eads

December 9, 2024

Riley Johnson at the plate hit a sizzling .487 this summer (2024) for the Tampa Mustangs.

Recruiting Spotlight: 2026 Power-Hitting Utility Star Riley Johnson… Happy To Be Staying in The Sunshine State (Dec. 9, 2024)

What a year 2024 was for Riley Johnson, the high school junior at Bishop Moore High in Orlando, Fla.

Last spring for her Hornets softball team, the then-sophomore batted a strong .515 with a .980 fielding percentage behind the plate and it only gotten better for the recently committed catcher headed to Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla., about 200 miles away.

Over the summer, competing in top events like the Atlanta Legacy, Colorado Sparkler and Top Gun Invitational for her Tampa Mustangs team led by Head Coach Rene Ciccarello Jr., Riley batted .487 overall with 55 total hits including 10 doubles, two triples and eight home runs.

Here’s a clip of one of her home runs in club play courtesy of AthletesGoLive:

*****

The Floridian drove in 39 runs but what may be her most impressive stats revolves around what she didn’t do and that’s strikeout: the power hitter had only two K’s all summer… all summer!!!

Here are other clips and numbers from her stellar summer play:

Atlanta Legacy:

Colorado Sparkler:

Top Gun Invitational:

*****

More recently, at the Clearwater Fall Classic held last month in her home state of Florida, Riley had a three-run homer, a two-RBI single and a standup triple in the talent-loaded event.

And the softball field isn’t the only place where she impresses.

In the classroom, Riley carries a 4.1 GPA and looks to get a finance and/or business degree.

She’s a member of the National Honor Society and the American Sign Language Honor Society and is also part of the Bishop Moore High Leadership Club after being nominated by a teacher for her leadership skills, character and academic achievements.

As for off the field, the high school student-athlete keeps busy with family and her beloved sport of softball.

“I enjoy hanging out with my brother, Jacob; going to the beach with friends and giving softball lessons as I love sharing my passion for the game!” she says.

Riley Johnson with her younger brother, Jacob, after one of his football games.

Of that brother/sister bond between older sis, who’s 17, and younger brother, age 14, their proud mother, Michele, explains:

“They love to talk, share secrets, and support each other. They go to the gym and work out together. It truly is a special bond.”

Riley pictured with the 10U Babe Ruth World Series trophy she won seven years ago.

The family is so tight that it’s typical for both sets of grandparents to join the Johnson clan for Sunday dinners. And as much as her mother and father (Matt Johnson), and younger brother cheer her on, they’re apparently not even her biggest fan.

“Her grandfather Steve is her biggest cheerleader,” says Michelle, Grandpa Steve’s daughter. “He follows all her games in person or on GameChanger.”

The Johnson family has been following Riley’s success for a long time now, going back to 10U when she was part of the WVAC team that won the Babe Ruth World Series Championship.

The high schooler remembers valuable lessons learned from playing at that high of a level, even at such a young age.

“I learned how to overcome the pressure of competition and to not allow failures at pressing moments to define me. When you make an error in a pivotal moment, it’s how you react that makes the difference in future success.”

The Class of ’26 commit is happy to stay in-state to play at Florida Gulf Coast Univ.

The success—as Riley’s stats this year alone show—has been consistent and constant and has now earned her a college scholarship to play for the FGCU Eagles in the D1 Atlantic Sun Conference.

The accomplished student-athlete is understandably excited about finishing her high school and club softball careers and then moving on to the collegiate level.

“As a Florida native,” Riley begins, “I found my perfect fit in both athletics and academics.”

“Being close to the beach is an added plus and I’m looking forward to playing in a competitive, winning environment using my power to help the team’s success.”

“I can’t wait to be an Eagle! #wingsup!”

Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media

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