CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawatchee) drove in the winning run tonight in the Queens home-opener. The Royals split the double-header with Carson Newman College. The Eagles took the first game 9-0 and Queens won the second 5-4.
In the second game, Carson Newman (3-1) scored first in the first.
Queens(1-1) answered in the second with a walk-off home run from Brittany Stephens (Charlotte, N.C., Hickory Grove Baptist).
Leah Price stole two bases for Carson Newman in the top of the third and was able to score on an un-earned run to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the third when Audra Littlejohn (Riverside, Calif., Centennial ) dropped a ball just in front of the batter's box making the catcher scramble and throw a high ball down the line. Carson Newman's first baseman wasn't able to pull the ball in, and it flew down the line.
Megan Campbell (Raleigh, N.C., Athens Drive ) and Mary Lee Giurintano (Greensboro, N.C. , Glenn ) rounded the bases to give Queens a 2-3 lead.
Queens added a run in the fourth, this time coming off the bat of Alisha Waldrop (McDonough, GA , Luella ). Waldrop followed Littlejohn's lead and put her hit down in front of the batter's box. Again, the Carson Newman defense struggled to turn the play, leading to an unearned run by Megan Rollins (Salem, Ore., South Salem).
The next two innings went by scoreless until Amber Palmer hit a line drive down the first base line, driving in Laura Potts in the top of the sixth. Potts had replaced Sarah Little on first base earlier in the inning. The game was all scored up heading into the seventh.
Carson Newman was unable to drive in a run in the seventh, giving Queens an opportunity to take the lead and win the game.
Dodge was the third batter up in the inning and doubled to center field, brining in Guirintano. Queens won 5-4.
In the first game, Queens struggled offensively, connecting for just four hits, while giving up 16.
The Eagles tested the Royals defense during the game, stealing nine bases.
Queens will be on the road for the next three weeks and returns to Park Road Park on March 1.
