Maya Johnson calls out Alabama softball: 'Wouldn't be the first mid-major to beat Alabama'

Belmont softball ace Maya Johnson appears to have done her homework ahead of the Bruins' trip to the Tuscaloosa Regional for the NCAA Softball Tournament. In an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe following the unveiling of the 64-team bracket, the nation's leading ERA holder was asked why the Bruins could make some noise in Tuscaloosa and become a potential Cinderella team on the Road to Oklahoma City. REQUIRED READING: Alabama softball No.

1 overall seed in NCAA Tournament: Who does Tide play? Her response exerted a high-level of confidence and showed research with her teammates sitting behind her. "We wouldn't be the first mid-major to beat Alabama this year," Johnson said.

"We've beaten SEC teams. We want everyone to be scared of us, and we want them to know our name. We're going in fully expecting to be able to win.

" The Bruins and the Crimson Tide wouldn't meet up at Rhoads Stadium until May 16 at the earliest, either in the winner's bracket game or in one of the double-elimination games. Johnson enters the NCAA Softball Tournament leading the country in ERA (0. 70) and strikeouts (361), with her 1,170 career strikeouts leading all active players in the country.