Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BELMONT, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team traveled to Belmont Abbey today to take on the Crusaders in conference play. The Royals were able to capitalize on some clutch hitting and strong pitching as they won both games to bring their conference record to 3-1 and overall record to 13-18.

In the first game it was Kaitlyn Cheek (Richmond, Va., JR Tucker ) who turned heads with her monster two-run homer in the second. Cheek led Queens' offense, but was not alone as Noemi Rodriguez (Miami, Fla., G. Holmes Braddock Senior ) and Megan Lathbury (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) added two hits apiece. Queens added to the lead in the sixth and seventh innings, and easily took game one by the score of 7-1. 

Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawhatchee) earned the victory on the mound as she once again demonstrated her dominance by only allowing one run on seven hits. It was when the Crusaders were threatening that Dodge seemed to bring her best stuff, as she pitched herself out of several jams throughout the game.

Game two was a much tighter affair as Amanda Rodriguez (Bear Creek, N.C., Chatham Central) took the mound for the Royals. Rodriguez pitched four strong innings giving up only one run before being replaced by Jessica Scott (Franklin, N.C., Raban Gap Nacoochee). Scott tacked on two more strong innings to the Royals effort, and only gave up one run on two hits. 

But, it was Dodge once again who pitched the Royals to victory as she entered in the seventh inning when the game was tied 2-2, and the Crusaders were threatening. She was able to end the inning, and send the game to and extra inning that proved to be one that demonstrated the Royals' scrappy nature.

With the international tiebreaker rules in affect Whitney Britt (Gibson, N.C., Scotland) was placed at second base at the beginning of the eighth inning. Leading off the inning senior Keeya Turner (Fayetteville, N.C., 71st ) reached first on a bunt that also moved Britt over. Stepping to the plate shortstop Emma Schultz (Silver Spring, Md., Paint Branch) blasted a clutch long fly ball to centerfield that allowed Britt to score. Noemi Rodriguez followed with a sharp single that drove Turner home, and gave the Royals the two run lead that would hold until the end of the game.

Offensively it was Turner and Britt who led the way the entire game as they each had multiple hits, and came up big when the Royals needed it. 

Head Coach Miranda Ervin was extremely happy with the day and described the wins as a total team effort. 

“Today as a team we battled and fought to the very last pitch. Our wins were a total team effort and I couldn't be more proud of the team for never giving up.”

The Royals travel to face Limestone on Tuesday.