KFDM COOP Posted May 29, 2008 Report Posted May 29, 2008 Dishon enjoying freshman season at LSU Gabe Pruett The Orange Leader BATON ROUGE — Bridge City graduate and Louisiana St. University freshman Johnny Dishon always had one goal when growing up. Winning 20 straight games and hosting a NCAA Regional Tournament this weekend certainly is beyond any dream Dishon could have imagined. “It is everything I could have ever dreamed of,†Dishon said on Thursday. “I have always heard even from Hunter Hays how much work college ball is and I always said it could not be that bad. It is like a job. You are there to win a starting position or sometimes you are not even playing. The competition you face on a game-by-game basis is unbelievable. The players you face are either just as good or way better than you.†So Dishon has said good-bye to pitchers hurling in the 80-miles-an-hour range on a consistent basis and said hello to seeing 90-miles-an-hour each at bat. “The closer for Georgia was hitting 99,†Dishon said. “Yeah, I struck out in that at-bat. I was just hoping the guy never threw inside. It was hard to react to that speed.†The Tigers (43-16-1) won the SEC Tournament this past weekend with a 8-2 victory over Ole Miss on Sunday. LSU was 18-11-1 in the SEC standings. Dishon has started 11 of 37 games as a freshman and has a .239 batting average with 17 runs, 11 hits, 10 RBI and three doubles. He also has two triples, a homer and five walks. Dishon has also stolen four out of five bases on the season. Seeking playing time is something way different Dishon ever had to experience in his days at Bridge City. The 2007 All-Orange Leader Baseball Team MVP never had to look at the starting lineup to know where he was batting or where he was going to play. “That is definitely,†Dishon said. “At Bridge City I never had to worry if I was going to start or not. Here they give me a chance and I try to produce. I can only give them everything I have. I always try to be the first person out to congratulate a teammate or pinch run whenever I am asked to.†Dishon has also been doing something from his past here recently at LSU. “I have also been doing some bullpen catching,†Dishon added. “That was surprising. I was a catcher when I was growing up and Coach (Billy) Bryant said I was too fast to do that in high school. Now ironically here I am back to catching. It was hard to get back into. I am starting to get better at it and I am always there when they need me.†While at Bridge City, postseason success was also not a problem when Dishon was a Cardinal. The Cardinals went to back-to-back when Dishon was starting as sophomore and junior and his senior season ended one win away in the regional finals. “I think about the Bridge City days everyday, even football,†Dishon said. “I can remember every game, every play and every outcome. You just don’t realize how fast it all goes by. I remember being a freshman and sophomore and then it was over. Now my college freshman year is flying by but it’s awesome. I am just trying to enjoy it all as much as possible.†Dishon still talks to former teammate Jeff Stringer who recently signed on with Panola Junior College after taking a year off of baseball. “He was trying to find the right school that fits,†Dishon said. “I am so happy he is with Panola because that guy needs to be playing some baseball. We are all playing on limited time.†While still taking time to reflect on the past, Dishon and the Tigers have hungry eyes on Texas Southern, today’s opponent at 1 p.m. in the regional tournament. “Of course we all want to make it to the College World Series,†Dishon said. “First we are playing Texas Southern who might be 16-32 and can still beat anyone. “Even just sitting in the dugout, I’m enjoying every moment. The experience is something not everyone gets. My dream was to get out of high school and do something positive. I can say I am doing just that.â€
cardinal81o7 Posted May 29, 2008 Report Posted May 29, 2008 if they go to omaha we'll be there sleeping in our cars if we have to congrats johnny
Gabe Posted May 29, 2008 Report Posted May 29, 2008 BC can be proud of this hometown product. Always one of the best players to interview. Now I have to live up to my promise and head over to Baton Rouge in the next two years.
injun Posted May 29, 2008 Report Posted May 29, 2008 Great job Dishon and LSU...Hope you guys win it all...The Tigers have gotten on a roll at the right time.....
Guest Orangeboy Posted May 30, 2008 Report Posted May 30, 2008 Atta Boy Johnny, we miss you back in BC. Good luck, hope to see you on the tube.
BCcardbacker Posted May 30, 2008 Report Posted May 30, 2008 Way to go Johnny! Good luck and we will be watching for you! Glad all is working out to be more than you could've asked for and I am sure LSU coaches think the same about getting you on their team! Gonna have to put up the red and white and wear the purple and gold for the rest of the baseball season! Geaux get em!
Guest Bulldog Posted May 30, 2008 Report Posted May 30, 2008 Johnny is a special person and has a bright future. Im glad the man is my friend...... Good Luck Douglas......lol
AJ25 Posted June 5, 2008 Report Posted June 5, 2008 he hit the furthest homerun i've seen in highschool. a scrimmage against us here in lumberton. there is a soccer practice field behind our baseball field (there is about 20 yards in between the baseball fence and the start of the soccer field) and they picked the ball up from the other side of the soccer field. and if i was told right, our leftfield is 315 ft...
Luther X Posted June 6, 2008 Report Posted June 6, 2008 It was fun watching this kid in HS..glad to see his success continues in college. Best of luck !
AJ25 Posted June 6, 2008 Report Posted June 6, 2008 i'm willing to bet, if he starts next year. with his speed and power, he gets drafted very high.
Guest Bulldog Posted June 9, 2008 Report Posted June 9, 2008 i'm willing to bet, if he starts next year. with his speed and power, he gets drafted very high. Im sure he will but he has to spend atleast 3 years at LSU.....
Gabe Posted June 9, 2008 Report Posted June 9, 2008 Saw he made a catch yesterday in right field. Hey Johnny, be the first out to congratulate so we can see you more often!
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