THE TIMES 1994 SPRING ALL-COUNTY TEAMS : Speed Puts Johnsen Ahead of the Pack : Player of the year: Woodbridge standout finishes prep career with a Southern Section-record 196 stolen bases.

Alison Johnsen’s season turned on a short fly ball to left-center field. She charged in and shortstop Carrie Brown charged out. After the collision, Johnsen had a concussion and Brown a broken leg. Woodbridge’s softball team had a dilemma.

Johnsen missed two games, and when she returned, she did not go back to center field--never mind that she’s the best outfielder in Orange County--but to shortstop to replace Brown.

The best athlete on the field was handed the toughest position to play. She made an error in her debut--on her very first throw. It was her only error of the season.

Her batting average suffered only slightly, dropping from .639 to .619. Hardly anything to get worked up over, really.

That’s the kind of talent that makes Johnsen the choice as The Times Orange County player of the year. She was selected based upon her regular-season performance.

For all of Johnsen’s talent as a fielder and a hitter, it is her speed that scares--and impresses--most opposing coaches and players.

In 26 regular-season games, she stole 53 bases. She shattered the Southern Section career record for stolen bases by 19, and likely would have topped her personal goal of 200 had she not been injured and missed two games--which Woodbridge (21-9) lost.

Johnsen, a four-year starter, finished with 196 steals and a lifetime .469 average. She is first and fifth in the Southern Section record book for single-season steals.

“It’s OK that I didn’t break 200,” she said. “But I’m disappointed I didn’t, because I always think back to the games when I went one for three, thinking that if I got on base one or two more times I could have broken it.”

Johnsen will play next year for NCAA champion Arizona.

A natural right-hander, she made the transition to the left-hander’s side of the batter’s box as a freshman, which makes her career average all the more stunning.

That Johnsen can also drive the ball (two home runs, 12 RBIs)--in addition to bunting and slapping the ball through the infield--makes her the most dangerous player in the county.