KNOXVILLE, TN- 

Game 1: Bryan Lions Claim Victory with Strong Offense

The series kicked off with an impressive performance from the Bryan Lions, who secured a 6-1 win over the Royals. Bryan's bats came alive early, highlighted by Tyler Cullen's four-RBI performance. Though the Royals managed to put a run on the board with Bryson Shown's solo home run in the seventh inning, Bryan's early lead proved insurmountable. Nathan Hoffman delivered a solid performance on the mound, as he battled through seven innings, allowing just three hits and one run.

Game 2: Johnson Royals Rally Past Bryan Lions with Offensive Surge

In a thrilling showdown, the Royals rallied past the Bryan Lions with a resounding 6-2 victory.

The Royals wasted no time making their mark, striking early with Brayden Taylor's RBI single in the first inning, setting the tone for their offense. Petey Kiefer and Brayden Taylor led the charge, each contributing key hits, including a triple from Kiefer, to fuel Johnson's offensive surge.

Notable Johnson Statistics:

• Petey Kiefer: 3 hits, 1 triple, 1 RBI
• Brayden Taylor: 2 hits, 1 RBI
• Cade Liefer: 2 hits, 1 RBI
• Jake Smith: 4.2 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, 4 strikeouts

Despite facing an early deficit, the Bryan Lions fought back with Cade Cook's two-run homer in the fourth inning, injecting some momentum into their offense. However, solid pitching from Jake Smith and James Showalter combined with Johnson's relentless hitting proved to be too much for Bryan to overcome.

Game 3: Royals Secure Thrilling Victory in Series Finale

In a nail-biting conclusion to the series, the Johnson Royals clinched a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Bryan Lions.

The game remained deadlocked in a scoreless tie until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Royals broke the silence with a run, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Seth Pressley came through in a clutch moment, delivering a crucial two-RBI hit to secure the win.

Despite facing a formidable opponent in Bryan, the Royals' pitching staff, led by Seth Bougher's strong six innings on the mound, held their ground and limited the Lions' offense to just two runs. Brayden Taylor and Petey Kiefer contributed offensively with key hits, while defensively, Johnson showcased their defense with several standout plays.

Notable Johnson Statistics:

• Petey Kiefer: 3 hits, 1 double
• Brayden Taylor: 1 hit, 1 double, 1 RBI
• Seth Pressley: 2 RBI
• Seth Bougher: 6 innings pitched, 7 strikeouts

The victory in the series finale served as a testament to the Royals' character and determination, highlighting their ability to compete at a high level in the AAC. As the season winds down, the Royals are in a close race to make their first conference tournament since joining the NAIA.