Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 HARTSVILLE S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team opened up the Conference Carolina Softball Tournament with two games that displayed the talents of their Pitcher of the Year winner, Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawhatchee). The Royals started the day with a 12 inning game they eventually dropped to King College 4-3, but rallied in their second game to beat Belmont Abbey 5-1.

The dependable Dodge pitched all 19 innings for the Royals and only gave up 11 hits and three earned runs on the day while striking out 14 batters. Dodge was especially brilliant in the crucial second game against Belmont Abbey when she only allowed two hits in seven innings.

In game against King the Royals battled back from a 2-0 deficit behind solo homeruns by Megan Lathbury (Georgetown, Del., Sussex Central) and Kaitlyn Cheek (Richmond, Va., JR Tucker ) to send the game to extra innings. Despite Amanda Meade (Bristow, Va., Osbourn Park) crushing another homerun the 12^th inning, the Royals came up short and were forced to regroup going into their next game against Belmont Abbey.

In the game against the Crusaders it was the power of the Royals that was once again on display when Cheek pounded another homerun over the fence to give Queens a 3-0 lead in the third.  Emma Schultz (Silver Spring, Md., Paint Branch), Dodge, and Lathbury each added to the offensive effort with two hits apiece to give the Royals the 5-1 win.

Coach Miranda Ervin had to say this about today's games, “Our first game against King was a total battle. We came up short and had to rebound quickly. In the second game our bats attacked and we were able to so produce some run support for Chantel.  We are glad to be playing on Saturday, and are excited for the road ahead.”

Following today's games Queens is 29-23, and 16-5 in conference play. They return to the diamond tomorrow at 9 a.m. when they take on Coker