Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte Softball team returned to Park Road Park for their first home games of the year as they faced the Carson-Newman Eagles in a doubleheader this afternoon. The Royals split with the Eagles as they won the first game 3-2 and dropped the second 7-4.

Led by the dynamic pitching of senior Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawhatchee), the Royals were able to stage a dramatic win in the first game of the series.  Dodge was able to limit the Eagles to just eight hits and two runs through seven innings backed by scrappy offensive performance by the Royals. 

The Eagles struck first in the second inning, but Queens returned the favor in the third with a monster solo shot by Emma Schultz (Silver Spring, Md., Paint Branch).  With the score stuck at 1-1 for the next few innings it was Carson-Newman who notched the next run to put them up 2-1 in the fifth inning. Dodge quickly equalized the score once again as she doubled and drove in pinch runner Brittany Harrell (Morganton, N.C., Freedom). 

With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, it was once again time for Queens' bats to heat up. Senior Keeya Turner (Fayetteville, N.C., 71st ) collected her second hit of the game with a single up the middle. This was quickly followed by a single from Emily Poulton (Temecula, Calif., Great Oak) and a walk by Kaitlyn Cheek (Richmond, Va., JR Tucker ). With one out and the bases loaded Megan Lathbury (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) stepped up and hit a sharp ground ball to the second baseman. Racing home, Turner beat out the throw giving the Royals the win in exciting fashion.

The second game was an uphill battle as Queens found themselves in a six run hole following the first inning before falling to the Eagles. The Royals tried to chip away at the lead all game, but were never able to close the gap less than three runs. The Royals were led by Cheek with three hits and Whitney Britt (Gibson, N.C., Scotland) with a solo home run.

The Royals next take the field on Wednesday, February 15 when they take on Lenoir-Rhyne in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Park Road Park.