HARTSVILLE, S.C.- Lees-McRae(26-26) turned in a three-run fifth inning to spoil the Queens Royals' (20-19) hopes of advancing to a third consecutive Conference Carolinas championship game, winning the semifinal contest 3-1. The meeting of the two teams was the second of the tournament as the Royals won the opening game 5-3.
Kim Coley started the inning with a single home run to open the scoring. Three batters later Meagan Knowles recorded her only hit of the day as a two-run homer. The Bobcats held a 3-0 lead through five.
Keeya Turner (Fayetteville, N.C., 71st ) scored the Royals only run of the game in the sixth. She reached on a single, advanced to second on the next play when
Kaitlyn Cheek (Richmond, Va., JR Tucker) was walked and then stole third.
Megan Lathbury (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) hit into a double play, but Turner was able to score on the same play.
Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawhatchee) was in the circle for Queens and ends her season with a record of 8-6. On the day she struck out three and gave up three hits.
Turner was 2-3 on the day, the only hits for Queens, with one run scored.
Coley went 2-for-3 with a solo home run. Knowles went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run. Laurel Gregg pitched a complete game, striking out seven and giving up two runs.
For the third straight year the Royals have finished with a record over .500. In 2010 they ended with a record of 26-25 and in 2009 closed with a record of 27-26.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, Jester and Turner were named to the All-Tournament Team.
