Former Tennessee baseball coach leads Johnson University to NAIA World Series
Rebecca French
Led by former Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano, Johnson University advanced to the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history.
The Royals defeated Our Lady of the Lake 20-10 in the first round of the NAIA to improve to 3-0. They defeated Kansas Wesleyan twice in two days, winning 9-8 on May 13 to advance to the World Series.
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Johnson will face an undetermined opponent on May 22 in Lewiston, Idaho.
Serrano led Johnson to its best three-year stretch in program history. The Royals improved from a 24-22 record in his first season to 36-18 in 2025, setting a record for most wins in a season. After defeating Kansas Wesleyan, they reached 40 wins this season.
Serrano began coaching the Tennessee baseball team in 2012 and resigned in 2017 before the Vols hired Tony Vitlow for his first season as head coach of the San Francisco Giants. Serrano comes to Johnson after spending one year as an assistant coach at West Virginia and serving as the head coach at Cal State Northridge from 2020-22. He also coached at Cerritos, UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.
Tennessee’s Tegan Kuhns (21) points to home plate after striking out a Texas batter during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Tegan Kuhns (21) points to home plate after striking out a Texas batter during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Tennessee’s Levi Clark (16) crosses home plate against Texas State during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tennessee’s Tegan Kuhns (21) plays against Texas during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Tennessee’s Reese Chapman (13) catches a ball in the outfield during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Tennessee’s Manny Marin (4) skates across home plate during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Tennessee player Tegan Kuhns (21) celebrates after striking out a Texas batter to end the inning during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Tennessee baseball coach Josh Elander meets with Texas State baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle and the Texas Longhorns during an NCAA college baseball pregame meeting on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
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Check out our best photos from Tennessee baseball’s final home series against Texas State
Texas State baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle plays against Tennessee during an NCAA college baseball game on May 8, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Johnson isn’t the only Tennessee school to advance to the NAIA World Series. Tennessee Wesleyan defeated LSU Alexander, Indiana Wesleyan and Weber International in Kingsport to sweep the group. Only one hit was allowed in the entire first round.
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