Royals Split Doubleheader, Secure Series Win Over Truett McConnell

MARYVILLE, TN— The Royals split Saturday's Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader with Truett McConnell, falling 4–2 in game two before bouncing back with a 10–3 win in game three to secure the series victory.

In game two, Johnson struck first in the third inning as JJ Menesini drove in a run on a groundout. Truett McConnell answered with a solo home run in the fourth before taking control in the fifth with a three-run inning, highlighted by a two-run home run.

The Royals looked to respond late, adding a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Christian Altamirano to cut the deficit to 4–2, but were unable to complete the comeback.

Johnson responded in a big way in the series finale, overcoming an early 2–0 deficit with a dominant offensive performance. The Royals got on the board in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from Joseph Brown before Edwin Olmeda Jr. delivered a two-run double to give Johnson a 3–2 lead.

The offense continued to surge in the third inning as Brown delivered a bases-clearing double, extending the lead to 6–2. Johnson added three more runs in the fourth, highlighted by an RBI triple from Menesini and continued pressure on the basepaths.

The Royals added one more in the fifth to reach double digits, finishing with 11 hits in the 10–3 win. Brown and Olmeda Jr. each drove in four runs to lead the offense, while Menesini and Jesse Rojas contributed key hits throughout the lineup.

On the mound, Tyler Barfield delivered a strong start before Andrew Uharriet and Kaleb Townsend combined to close out the victory.

Following the series, head coach Dave Serrano reflected on both the progress of the program and the expectations that now come with it.

"As I shared with the team after the finale and the series win, just two seasons ago winning a series against an AAC opponent was a big deal. Now with how the players have elevated this program it's kind of a disappointment that's all we achieved this weekend. Give credit to Truett McConnell, because they did more than us in the loss in game one of the DH. I did like how our guys responded in game two to come out on top 10–3. Most importantly, as we begin April we still sit in a great place in the standings knowing that we still control our own destiny."

With the series win, the Royals take two of three from Truett McConnell and continue to position themselves well in the AAC standings. Johnson will now turn its attention to a major non-conference matchup as they travel to Georgia Gwinnett on Friday, April 3 to take on the No. 2-ranked Grizzlies.