You can’t overstate the impact Bobby Johnston had on the then-Atlantic Christian College Baseball program when he arrived on campus in the fall of 1968.

Fresh off a 4A State Championship at Ralph L. Fike High School that preceding spring, Johnston chose A.C.C./Barton despite being drafted. Johnston was an all state player as a prep and threw a one hitter in the state title game against High Point Central.

Despite playing just two seasons with A.C.C./Barton in 1969 and 1970, Johnston left in indelible mark. Johnston was an All-District 29 honoree both seasons and an honorable mention All-American in 1970. 

Johnston excelled both at the plate and on the mound, batting .397 (1969) and .369 (1970) while posting a 2.90 earned run average in 112 innings of work over both years.

“Bobby ( Johnston) could hit, run, field and throw,” said Jimmy Robinson, a 1972 graduate of Atlantic Christian College and a Bulldogs’ teammate. “His biggest attribute was his hitting and his speed. He was the biggest and fastest man on the team. His speed allowed him to take extra bases, and he got many infield hits due to his blazing speed.”

Johnston, a left-hander, stood at 6’4” and weighed 210 pounds. Johnston also played outfield for the Bulldogs. “During the era of wooden bats, Bobby was a coach’s dream. He also hated to lose and was a fierce competitor,” added Robinson.

Johnston was selected in the 1971 winter draft by Major League Baseball’s San Diego Padres. His first stop was the Single A Tri-City Padres of the Northwest League in Kennewick, Wash.

For the next three seasons (1972-74), Johnson played for the Padres’ AA affiliate known as the Alexandria Aces, located in Alexandria, La. His best season came in 1972, when the squad won the Texas League Eastern Division Championship. That year, Johnston went 9-5 with an earned run average of 2.40 in 146 innings pitched. The manager that season was Duke Snider, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder and future Hall of Famer.

However, shoulder problems developed for Johnston after being overpitched the latter two years (1973 and 1974). After being assigned to single A Peninsula in Newport News, Va., Johnston’s career came to an end.

Johnston’s legacy lives on, especially with his teammates. “His teammates witnessed his skills and durability as a player as well as his contributions to the program,” added Robinson.

Johnston was a Wilson, N.C., native, and his father was captain of the local police department.

“It meant a lot to Bobby to stay in his hometown and play at Fleming Stadium where he spent so much time as a kid,” said Robinson, when reasoning Bobby’s decision to choose Atlantic Christian College. “He liked for his family and friends to be able to come see him play. He was very proud to be a Bulldog.”

With regard to his induction into the Barton Athletic Hall of Fame: “It would mean everything, and he would have been very humbled and honored,” explained Robinson.