By Barron Demons
Softball player Lia (Amelia) Johnson and baseball player Richard Sorrenti were named Pensacola State College’s Top Male and Female Scholar-Athletes on Wednesday, June 27.
Johnson, a sophomore from Panama City, graduated with an overall 3.91 grade point average and is a two-time NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Award recipient, a two-time FCSAA Academic All-State and a two-time All-Panhandle Conference Academic performer. She also was named an All-American Scholar Athlete by the National Fast pitch Coaches Association for 2017-2018.
The Lady Pirates lead-off hitter, Johnson set the table for a team that would ultimately return to the FCSAA State Tournament by winning the first-ever Panhandle Conference Softball tournament.
She batted .333 in her final season, led the team in stolen bases with 14. Johnson signed to play at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where she plans to pursue her passion of flying while working toward a bachelor’s degree.
Sorrenti, a sophomore catcher from Tallahassee, is a two-time All-Panhandle Conference player, making the First Team his final year. He graduated with a 3.37 grade point average and adds an Academic All-Conference Award to his resume.
He led the Pirates in home runs, hit .334 in conference play and .304 overall for 2018. He signed to play with the University of South Alabama Jaguars and will pursue a bachelor’s degree.