Johnson University Baseball Achieves Historic NAIA Top 25 Ranking

In a landmark moment for Johnson University athletics, the Royals baseball team has secured the 19th spot in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 Poll, marking the first time any team from Johnson has broken into the NAIA top 25 rankings.  

This achievement is particularly significant given the program's recent history. Just two seasons ago, the Royals struggled with only five wins. The arrival of Coach Dave Serrano has been transformative, guiding the team to a 19-6 record this season.  

Coach Serrano's leadership has instilled a culture of excellence and resilience. "I'm excited for the progress of our team and I'm so happy for our players," Serrano remarked. "The ranking is a recognition of the hard work and dedication they have shown along with our coaching staff. This is a good step in the right direction, and we recognize that there is still more work to be done."  

Historically, Johnson's women's basketball team received votes in national polls during the 24-25 season but fell just outside the top 25 while the Softball team received votes in their Preseason poll. The baseball team's current ranking sets a new precedent for the university's athletic programs. 

"This has been a historic year for the Royals," said Johnson Athletic Director Brandon Perry. "Every team has experienced a historic year which is incredible. Coach Serrano, his staff, and the players have worked so hard, and it is great to see the fruit of that commitment. I could not be happier for these guys. Coach Serrano set a vision for the team that is shared by our whole program. It's a vison of excellence in athletics. We are committed to excellence because we believe that competitive athletic programs give opportunities for personal, spiritual, and academic development. We are seeing that belief lived out in our programs right now." 

The Royals' ascent was marked by wins over Top 10 teams of Tennessee Wesleyan and University of Cumberlands. They also notched victories over two quality teams of Milligan University and Columbia International University.  

As the season progresses, the Royals aim to maintain their momentum and continue representing Johnson University with pride and excellence on the national stage.