In a remarkable turn of events, former Tennessee baseball head coach Dave Serrano has guided Johnson University to its first-ever NAIA World Series appearance, marking a historic milestone for the program. The Royals punched their ticket on May 13 with a thrilling 9-8 victory over Kansas Wesleyan, capping a dominant run through the NAIA Opening Round.

Johnson University's path to the World Series was nothing short of spectacular. They opened the tournament with a resounding 20-10 win over Our Lady of the Lake, then showed their resilience by defeating Kansas Wesleyan twice in two days. The decisive game was a nail-biter, with the Royals holding on for a one-run victory that sent the team and their fans into celebration.

This achievement is the culmination of a remarkable turnaround under Serrano's leadership. When he took over the program, the Royals posted a 24-22 record in his first season. They improved to 36-18 in 2025, setting a new single-season wins record, and have now reached the 40-win mark for the first time in program history after their World Series-clinching win.

Serrano's coaching journey is deeply rooted in Tennessee baseball history. He led the Volunteers from 2012 to 2017, and his departure paved the way for Tony Vitello to take the reins—a move that would eventually lead Vitello to the San Francisco Giants' managerial role. After his tenure at Tennessee, Serrano spent a year as an assistant at West Virginia, then served as head coach at Cal State Northridge from 2020 to 2022 before joining Johnson University. His extensive resume also includes successful stints at Cerritos, UC Irvine, and Cal State Fullerton.

The Royals will now head to Lewiston, Idaho, where they'll begin play in the NAIA World Series on May 22. Their opponent has yet to be determined, but one thing is certain: Johnson University has arrived on the national stage, and they're ready to make some noise.