Murfreesboro, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team (5-7 overall) swept the opening day of the 2017 Chowan Tournament on Saturday, February 18, 2017. The Royals tallied a 4-3 victory in their opener against Erskine (4-5 overall) before topping on host school, Chowan (3-10 overall), with a 5-2 win.  

Erskine was the first to put runs on the board with a single hit down the left field line from Lydia Trexlor, getting teammate Brittany Rhinehardt to score after previously being walked. Trexlor made her way home after an error gave her the chance to steal the run for the two score start.

With the Royals next at-bat, Sydney Ditto got the bats swinging singling to second base. Shortly after, Courtney Pearson singled up the middle getting Ditto to cross home plate to cut Erskine's lead by one (2-1).

The score held until the bottom of the fourth as Sabrina Martinez made her way around the bases scoring on a throwing error by the catcher, tying the game 2-2.

The team took advantage of another error in the bottom of the sixth as Martinez was able to put the Royals up by one, scoring on a wild pitch from Erskine. Kelly Winter would score after a double hit to left center from Elaina Frantellizzi in the same inning, making the score 4-2.

Erskine put one more on the board in the top of the seventh, but it fell shy as Queens took the first game of the day 4-3.

Courtney Pearson (3-4) saw time in the circle for the Royals recording 13 strikeouts and six hits. She would only walk one batter out of the 29 batters she faced.

For the Flying Fleet, Samantha Schmidt (1-2) was the lone pitcher, seeing seven hits and recording six strikeouts.

The second game of the day pitted the host school against the Royals as Queens looked to end the day with the sweep. For most of the game, Chowan held control with an early run scored in the bottom of the first inning by Tina White. However, the Royals refused to falter finding their scoring plays in the last two innings of the day.

Strickler claimed the tying run after reaching on an error and moving to second base.  Winter's single brought her home from second for the run.

In the top of the eighth, Breanna Martinez took a spot at second base to start the tie break inning soon finding her way to home plate. Moments later Sanford added the team's third run after taking advantage of an error. S.  Martinez and Abby Lathan scored at the next at bat as Winter singled into right field.

Chowan added a run in the bottom of the eighth as Queens held strong to claim the win.

Evie Scott (2-2) entered the game after the first batter to see eight innings with four hits and just one run.  

Kayla Robins (2-5) took the loss with seven hits and five runs during the eight inning game.

The Royals return to the field tomorrow to face Nyack College at 10 a.m., for day two of the tournament.