Royals Drop Opening Round Game to Thomas, Set for Elimination Match Tuesday

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– The Royals softball team opened their first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance on Monday afternoon, falling 3-1 to Thomas University in the opening round of the Lawrenceville Bracket hosted by Georgia Gwinnett.

The Royals struck early, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Audrey Moorhouse reached base and eventually scored on a groundout RBI from Megan Armstrong. However, Johnson's offense struggled to find traction the rest of the game, tallying just five total hits and leaving multiple runners stranded.

Thomas responded with a run in the third to tie the game, then added two more in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead for good. Despite a strong effort from pitcher Lindy Webber—who allowed only two earned runs over 5.1 innings and struck out five—Johnson couldn't mount a late comeback.

Reese Burns led the Royals offensively with two hits, including a double, while Madisyn Thacker-Wolfe also added a double of her own.

With the loss, Johnson (29-14) falls into the elimination bracket and will face Evangel University on Tuesday at 12 p.m. EST in a must-win matchup to keep their historic postseason run alive.

The Royals will look to bounce back and extend their season one more day in what has already been a record-breaking year for the program.