CHARLOTTE, N.C.- After falling 9-0 in five innings to UNC-Pembroke the Queens University of Charlotte softball team came back to win the second contest of the evening by a score of 4-2. The win improves Queens to 2-7 while UNC-P left with a record of 6-3.

Game One
The first game of the nonconference twin bill was a tough one for Queens. The Braves opened the game with a three-run first inning. In their first three innings at the plate the Royals were retired in order.

UNC-P added two more runs with two single-shot homers, one from Julie Burwell and the other from Loren Bartz. Bartz ended the game with two homeruns.

Queens had their best chance to put runs on the board in the fourth. After the first two batters grounded out, Megan Lathbury (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) singled through the left side to start a Royals rally. Keeya Turner (Fayetteville, N.C., 71st ) was able to reach on a fielder's choice and the Braves were not able to turn the play at second keeping the inning alive. Megan Campbell (Raleigh, N.C., Athens Drive ) was hit by a pitch on the next play loading the bases. Alisha Waldrop (McDonough, GA , Luella ) came to the plate, made contact, but only for a popup to second base to end the inning.

The Royals defense would end up allowing four runs on three hits in the fifth, opening lead to 9-0. Queens' batters were put away with two strikeouts and one pop out to end the game.

Queens had just one hit while UNC-P ended with nine.

Game Two
UNC-P put runs on the board first in game two. They scored one in the second, but Queens closed the inning stranding three Braves on base.

Brandy Jester (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) gave the Royals a 2-1 lead with a hit over the right center field fence driving in Campbell on the play. The homerun is Jester's second in as many days. She hit a two-run bomb against Wingate the night before.

Queens added a single run in the fifth after pinch hitter Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, Conn., New Britain) singled to the short stop allowing Lathbury to score.

The Braves were able to add one run in the sixth by getting Jelena Shaw on base after being hit by a pitch. Shaw stole second and on the next play rounded third for home off of a Holly Berry single. UNC-P loaded the bases, but a fly out ended the inning leaving all three runners stranded.

The Campbell-Jester combination worked again in the bottom of the sixth as the Royals added another run. This time Campbell was walked and advanced to second as Waldrop put down a SAC bunt. Instead of a homerun Jester singled to earn her team-leading seventh RBI of the season as Campbell crossed home plate.

One Brave was able to get on base in the last inning, but strong defense turned plays and ended the game for Queens.

Both teams had five hits in the contest while Jester pitched all seven innings for Queens collecting three strikeouts. Alex Hartshorn and Carolina Newman split the game evenly for UNC-P totaling seven strikeouts.  Newman gave up all five hits.

Queens rests for two days before hosting nonconference opponent Lenoir-Rhyne at 1pm on Sunday, Feb. 21.