McKenzie’s Johnsey Signs with Bethel Baseball

McKENZIE (June 8) — Recent McKenzie High School graduate and baseball standout Xander Johnsey signed with Bethel University baseball Monday in the MHS theater.

The multi-tool player was instrumental in McKenzie’s recent success on the diamond, including a pair of no-hitters on the mound this season. He also hit .367 for the year and was named Co-MVP for the team, among many other honors.

Johnsey, son of Courtni and Brad Campbell and Evan and Jennie Johnsey, was joined by family members, McKenzie Head Coach Chris Wall and other supporters for the signing ceremony.

Coach Wall said of Johnsey, “Very hard worker. He shows up to work. Baseball is his thing, it’s always been his thing, so he takes it to heart. Xander’s had some rough times in his baseball career, but everything started clicking the last couple of years. This year, it came to fruition. He’s had a really good year. Really good on the mound for us. Ended up being 8-2. We couldn’t have gotten as far as we did without him.”

Johnsey told The Banner why he chose Bethel. “They have an outstanding program. Coach Rusty [Thompson] is really good at developing players. The Lord just pointed me towards Bethel. It’s the right decision.”

He explained his love for baseball. “I grew up playing a lot of sports. Ever since I was hitting the ball off the tee, I’ve been obsessed with it. I’m in love with baseball. I think about it constantly. It’s all I want to do. It’s always been my dream to play college baseball.”

He said of his time as a Rebel, “This program has really done a lot for me, to develop me as a player and as a person. Coach Wall is a really good coach. He developed me into a kid that can hit the ball over the fence and throw mid-80s, and that’s a really big accomplishment. It just shows a lot about what McKenzie’s program is.”

Johnsey will major in Education.