Junior center fielder Makenzie Johnson goes above and beyond to make herself the best softball player she can be for Beecher.

She’s even willing to work overtime.

Junior teammate Taylor Norkus, who is also her next-door neighbor, will vouch for that.

“When I come home sometimes late at night, Makenzie is in her garage,” Norkus said. “She is consistently out there working on her hitting.”

On Wednesday, the Northern Kentucky recruit made that practice pay off for the Bobcats in a 12-0 nonconference victory in five innings over host Oak Forest.

Johnson had an RBI triple and two singles for Beecher (29-2). Ava Olson went 3-for-4, while Elena Kvasnicka and Tayiah Scanlan added two hits apiece. Norkus struck out eight for the pitching win.

Imani Hogan and Addison McClure each came through with a hit for Oak Forest (17-12). Melanie Andrysiak struck out seven.

Johnson went late night with her hitting habit a few years back.

“Basically, my mom and dad surprised me for Christmas with a new bat, a bucket of balls and a new net for the garage,” Johnson said. “We have a three-car garage, and it’s set up where I can put up the net.

“I focus on contact extension and full swings. I work on my mechanics and break everything down.”

Her power, patience and persistence show up all over the stat sheet.

Johnson is hitting a team-leading .538 with nine doubles, four triples, five home runs and 28 RBIs. And patience? Johnson and Alexa Gliva are tied for the team lead with 12 walks.

“Honestly, I just try to go up there with a calm mindset,” Johnson said. “I know I need to do a job for my team whether it’s getting a walk, getting hit by a pitch — single, double, triple, home run.

“I’m here for my team. Whenever they do need me, I try to come up big and be successful.”

Even if it’s with her voice.

“It’s great to have her around,” Norkus said. “She is so, so, so supportive. Yeah, she’s like a bundle of joy, and she has this burst of confidence that brings energy all around the dugout.”

Beecher coach Kevin Hayhurst can use Johnson on defense as an outfielder or as a catcher. She’s a force batting in the second slot behind leadoff hitter Ava Lorenzatti.

They put their one-two punch to work right away against Oak Forest.

Lorenzatti began the game with an infield hit before Johnson smashed a triple to the fence in right field. In the second inning, she reached on an infield single. After hitting a towering fly ball that was caught on the warning track, Johnson finished her day with a single to left field.

That’s being ready and keeping your foot on the gas.

“Mackenzie is very intense, really focused,” Hayhurst said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had anybody as much focused before the game, preparing herself for the game, sitting on the bench watching the game.

“She is into every pitch. It doesn’t surprise me that she’ll be out there in her garage cleaning up a little flaw that she might have. That’s Makenzie Johnson.”Johnson also played basketball at Beecher, but will be concentrating on softball during her senior year. And if she’s good at pumping up her teammates, it’s no wonder.

“Growing up, I was a competitive cheerleader,” Johnson said. “It was about sixth grade when I had to choose whether I wanted to play travel softball or continue with cheerleading.

“I chose softball, and obviously, that has worked out well for me. I’m thankful for it and I’m thankful for all the opportunities that my parents have given me.”

Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.