You’d be hard-pressed to find a defining moment in the high school softball career of Corning-Painted Post senior pitcher Matti Johnston.
Perhaps no-hitters against Elmira in the 2024 Section 4 Class AAA final and last year against Middletown in a New York State Public High School Athletic Association regional final.
Or maybe the two-hitter she pitched in a victory over Fairport two years ago in the Class AAA state championship game, helping Corning to a second state title since 2019.
Maybe her huge smile as teammates pranked Johnston, the team’s only senior, by piling bats and assorted objects into her hands and atop her head following a victory over Vestal that gave Corning back-to-back Southern Tier Athletic Conference titles.
Then there was an April game against Elmira in which Johnston collided with Express catcher Cate Lambert at home plate after the throw went up the line.
“They both laid there for probably three or four minutes, and I saw our season flash before our eyes,” said Corning head coach Mike Johnston Jr., who is Matti’s uncle. “When it was all said and done, they got up, and they hugged each other. I just thought that was cool the respect they have for each other.”
Johnston’s joy on the diamond, appreciation for and from teammates and foes, and considerable talent have helped her earn first-team all-state recognition from the New York State Sports Writers Association and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports in each of her first two varsity seasons.
She almost definitely will become a three-time first-team pick this season, and is a strong candidate for Class AAA Player of the Year in New York.
Corning will take a 16-0 record and No. 1 state ranking into its Section 4 Class AAA final against Elmira, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at Greenlight Networks Grand Slam Park in Binghamton. The Hawks, a state semifinalist last season, are seeking a fourth consecutive sectional championship.
Matti said the goal is to win another state title, but in the meantime she is thrilled to simply be playing a sport she loves.
“I’ve played my entire life,” said Matti, who plays travel softball with Ewing, New Jersey-based Rock Gold 18U. “From the teams to the coaches, the environment has always been great for me. That’s definitely a big draw.”
Johnston closing high school career in style
Johnston’s pairing of offensive impact and pitching dominance has been particularly impressive given it’s taking place in one of New York’s top softball leagues. She is batting .583 (28-for-48), and her 16 walks put her on-base percentage a shade under .700. Johnston has 4 homers, 32 runs, and 22 RBIs.
In 80 innings pitched this season, the right-hander has allowed just eight earned runs while striking out 138 batters. Johnston gave up six of those earned runs over her first three starts.
Mike Johnston said a lot is asked of Matti as the team’s leadoff hitter and pitcher. She has excelled in both roles.
“The beauty of it is she wants to be the best at a very high, competitive level, but she’s also having so much fun,” Mike Johnston said. “She loves the game, and that’s what I love about her.”
Matti transferred from Horseheads into the Corning-Painted Post School District for her freshman year, which led her to play JV that year. She became Corning’s No. 1 pitcher during the run to the state championship her sophomore season.
There was a learning curve in the jump from JV to varsity.
“It’s more competition, higher level of play,” Matti said. “You have to learn how to control yourself on the mound, your emotions, your behavior, your mannerisms, and you also have to learn how to rotate the ball better, how to make it move so people just can’t hit your fastball.”
Johnston has honed her curveball and changeup to work alongside significant fastball velocity.
She credits the strong group around her with their ability to make “amazing plays” in the field. Johnston, a state qualifier in the 55-meter dash during the indoor track & field season, uses that athleticism to her advantage while fielding her position. She is also adept as an outfielder and has played infield for her travel team.
Toughness is another part of the tool set. The collision with Lambert left Johnston with a bruised shin and a sizable cut on her forearm.
“It was scary definitely at first, but after I got up it wasn’t so bad,” Johnston said.
Matti part of seasoned softball family
In addition to playing for her uncle, Corning’s coaching staff also includes Matti’s parents: Matt Johnston and Toni (Darling) Johnston.
Matti said if she messes up, she’s the first one to hear about it, but she describes it as a privilege to be able to play for her dad and uncle, adding they push her and the team to their limits.
“We play really well under pressure,” Matti said. “I think it’s just awesome being able to carry on a legacy from Coach J all the way to me. I think it’s pretty cool.”
Matti’s mom was also a pitcher and is in the halls of fame at Alfred State and Utica/Rome. Matti’s older brother, Gannon, was a one-man wrecking crew as a lineman a few years back at Horseheads, dominating in a win over Uncle Mike’s Corning team.
As for the lessons from Mom when it comes to sports?
“I learned not to fold under pressure, and if I’m having a rough patch to fight through and believe in myself all the way,” Matti said. “Believe in my team behind me.”
The family theme runs deeper than blood for Matti.
“It’s a blessing. They’re a second family, a second home,” Matti said of her teammates. “They’re some of my best friends, and I really couldn’t imagine playing with a better team. Their skill is amazing, and they work hard every day. It’s awesome to be able to be a part of it.”
Ready for college opportunity
Matti is excited to meet all of her college teammates and play for Albany’s coaching staff while competing against players who are bigger, faster and stronger.
She plans to major in human biology, with designs on becoming a labor & delivery nurse or pediatric neurologist. Johnston excels in the classroom and was one of four student-athletes to win the district’s highly sought Bacalles Award this school year.
“I went to labor and delivery at the Corning Hospital, and I loved it,” Matti said. “I got to see so many amazing things, and the people there were awesome. Just being able to help people is really the goal.”
In the meantime, helping her team make another deep run in the state tournament is her immediate softball focus.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege,” Mike said of coaching his niece. “It’s something we dream about, getting to coach her, my brother and sister-in-law. Everything has come together, and she’s made the most of it. She’s made us look good as coaches.”
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Corning’s Matti Johnston delivers in pitcher’s circle and at the plate
Reporting by Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
