Royals Picked Third in AAC; Ranked #18 Nationally in NAIA Preseason Poll

KNOXVILLE, TN – The Johnson University baseball program continues its upward climb as the Royals enter the 2025–26 season with unprecedented momentum. Johnson has been selected to finish third in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and will open the year ranked No. 18 in the nation according to the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll—the highest preseason recognition in program history.

The AAC revealed its preseason poll earlier this week, placing Johnson firmly among the conference's elite programs for the upcoming season. The full AAC announcement can be found here. Nationally, the Royals garnered significant attention from coaches across the NAIA, earning a spot inside the Top 20 as detailed in the official NAIA poll released Tuesday. The complete NAIA rankings are available here.

This milestone marks the first time Johnson has appeared in a national baseball preseason poll, a reflection of the program's development, culture, and competitive consistency under head coach Dave Serrano. The Royals have steadily built toward this moment over the past few years, and this recognition signals the broader respect the team is earning across the country. It also showcases the strength of the AAC, which continues to emerge as one of the most competitive conferences in the NAIA.

Coach Serrano shared his pride in the program's progress, while also underscoring the importance of continued growth.

"This is a great honor for this program, since this is the first time we've gotten this kind of recognition in a pre-season poll. This makes me proud of my coaching staff and all of our players over these past few years who believed in a vision to be part of this program. As exciting as it is to be ranked high, we know it will still come down to how our team continues to work and develop over the break and into the season."

The Royals enter the spring with a strong returning core, an infusion of new talent, and increasing expectations both inside and outside the conference. The No. 18 national ranking provides an early confidence boost, but the team remains locked in on preparation, discipline, and translating this recognition into on-field performance.

As the season approaches, Johnson baseball stands poised for one of the most anticipated years in program history. Full schedule information, roster updates, and coverage details will be available soon at JohnsonRoyals.com, and fans can follow @JURoyalsBSB across social media for the latest updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.