Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Mars Hill, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte softball team (20-23, 9-9 SAC)  saw a dominate first game performance against the Lions of Mars Hill (14-23, 6-12 SAC) on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The Royals found an 8-1 victory over the Lions in the first half of the double-header series; however, Mars Hill would rally to nudge out the Royals, 8-7, in game two.

Queens found their way around the bases early as Samantha Martinez reached home plate off a pass ball. Ashton Whitaker followed with a run of her own after Lyndey McCurry found space out in right field, putting the team in great position after their first at bat.

Mars Hill also found a run in the first inning as Kayleigh Jones was walked home. It would be the team's only run of the game.

Abby Lathan was the next to put a run on the board for the Royals, making her way onto base off an error. She reached home off a hit from Whitaker who forced one through the right side of the field.

With a short scoring pause, Queens picked back up in the fifth inning giving McCurry a look at home plate. The next inning added one more to the scoreboard as Taylor Rosenbalm crossed off a bunt from Whitaker. As the game was nearing a close, Rosenbalm made contact to hit a ball over the center field wall to bring in Kayla Hall and Lathan.

McCurry tabbed the win for the team to move to an 8-10 record while Evie Scott found her second save of the year. McCurry started the day for the Royals, pitching 4.0 innings with five hits and just one run. Scott finished the remaining three innings spotless, giving up no runs and no hits.

Shelby Culler took the loss for Mars Hill pitching for six innings while seeing ten hits and five runs. Sydney Elkin would come in for the last three outs giving up four hits and three runs.

Queens held control for the majority of game two, finding a run early from Rosenbalm who saw a free pass home. It would take until the fourth inning for another run to be scored as Mars Hill found their rhythm with five hits producing three runs.

Queens responded with a six-run inning in their next at bat. Lathan was the first to reach home plate, advancing off an error by the center fielder. Martinez rounded the bases next as Whitaker hit a single up the middle. Hall, pinch running for Whitaker, was brought in by a homerun from Elaina Frantellizzi who blasted a ball over the center field wall. The last run of the inning would be found by Hanna Hasker as Sydney Ditto's hit into left field caused error and enough time for Hasker to score.

Despite the 7-3 lead by Queens, Mars Hill was unyielding in the bottom of the sixth putting up five runs. The team found all five runs back-to-back on single scoring plays to take the lead in the game. Queens was unable to force extra innings, leaving two stranded in the seventh.

Scott (7-5) suffered the loss of game two pitching the last 1.2 innings with seven hits and five runs. Catelyn Presley started the game seeing her way through 4.1 innings with eight hits and three runs.

The Lions third pitcher, Casey Stanek, tabbed the win as she pitched the last 2.1 innings with one hit and one run. Lacee Hunsucker started the game with four hits and three runs during her 4.1 innings as pitcher. Elkin would see a brief appearance for just one out as she tallied three hits and three runs.

The team will play their last home series of the year on Wednesday, April 20^th, against Lenoir-Rhyne. The double-head will begin at 2 p.m., at Park Road Park