Softball ready

Cole Johnson (pictured), 13, is ready to make a catch for the Pershing Middle School softball team. The seventh grader is a lefty catcher who also plays first base and center field. Cole began playing softball at age 5 and has played on 18 different teams, including teams with the West University Softball Association. Her favorite position is catcher, but she goes where the coach needs her and she recently pitched during a game. She is not a pitcher, but gladly accepted the coach’s challenge and gave it a try. In her first game on the mound, Cole was so excited about pitching strikes that she jumped up and down with each one. She struck out three batters in a row.

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at [email protected]. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.