3 things to know about Belmont softball's Maya Johnson ahead of Tuscaloosa Regional

Alabama softball earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, but its path through the Tuscaloosa Regional is far from a reward.

The Crimson Tide (49-7) will open against USC Upstate, while Southeastern Louisiana and Belmont meet on the other side of the bracket. All three teams bring high-caliber experience, but Belmont may have the most dangerous weapon in the regional.

Belmont ace Maya Johnson is one of the most dominant pitchers in college softball this season. If Alabama and Belmont meet, Johnson could be the biggest obstacle between the Crimson Tide and a super regional berth.

Here are three things to know about Johnson before the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Maya Johnson is one of the most dominant pitchers in college softball

Johnson enters the Tuscaloosa Regional as one of the top pitchers in the country, and statistically, she has been dominating more than almost anyone in the NCAA this season. Johnson (27-2) leads the NCAA in pitching with a 0.66 ERA and 381 strikeouts. She also leads NCAA softball in complete games (29) and shutouts (14).

Her strikeout-to-walk ratio of 11.91 leads the NCAA, with fellow USA Softball Player of the Year Top 10 finalist Jocelyn Briski of Alabama in second at 9.21. Briski (21-3) holds a 1.45 ERA and 175 strikeouts across 30 appearances.

Belmont has beaten two SEC teams, with wins over Georgia and Mississippi State. In two complete-game performances, Johnson struck out a combined 25 hitters and gave up just one run.

Maya Johnson has managed lupus while pitching