Royals’ Historic Season Comes to a Close in NAIA Regional Loss to Evangel

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– On a Tuesday afternoon in Georgia, the Johnson University Royals softball team took the field one last time in the 2025 season—this time fighting to keep their record-breaking campaign alive. But despite a determined effort and a flurry of late-game energy, the Royals fell 4-2 to Evangel University, bringing their unforgettable run to a close in the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round.

It was a game that mirrored the spirit of this team: relentless, resilient, and proud. From the first pitch to the final out, Johnson gave everything they had—just like they have all season.

A Fight to the Finish

After falling behind early, the Royals showed fight in the second inning. Senior leader Sloane Baldridge delivered a clutch two-RBI single to pull Johnson within striking distance. Later in the sixth, Megan Armstrong and Madisyn Thacker-Wolfe sparked a rally with back-to-back hits, but Evangel's defense held strong, stranding the tying runs on base.

Pitchers Lindy Webber and Alyssa Nicely combined for six innings of work in the circle, battling through a patient Evangel lineup that drew seven walks despite being limited to just four hits.

A Season to Remember

Though the scoreboard didn't fall in Johnson's favor, nothing can diminish what this team accomplished in 2025.

This year, the Royals didn't just compete—they made history. Johnson claimed its first-ever Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, earning the program's first green banner and securing a spot in the NAIA Opening Round for the first time in school history.

Their 29-15 overall record marked one of the winningest seasons the program has seen in just four short years since joining the NAIA ranks. Along the way, the Royals shattered team and individual records across nearly every category.

And perhaps most importantly, they inspired a new standard for Johnson softball. They showed what it means to build something special from the ground up. They proved that with heart, discipline, and belief, even a small school can make a big statement on the national stage.

The Legacy Continues

For seniors like Baldridge and Brantley, this may have been their final game in a Royals uniform—but their legacy will endure in every swing, every strike, and every young player who dreams of following in their footsteps.

This isn't just the end of a season—it's the beginning of an era.

Johnson softball is here, and it's only just getting started.

The Royals will head into the offseason with their heads held high, knowing they brought home the first championship in program history and made Johnson University proud every step of the way.

The story isn't over. In fact, it's just beginning.