HICKORY, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte put up a valiant effort against nationally-16th ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University, but fell by the finals of 6-1 and 4-2 on Wednesday, April 19 at Bears Field. 

Kelly Winter, Sydney Ditto and Ashton Whitaker each had two hits for Queens (20-27, 6-14) in the doubleheader against SAC heavyweight L-R (43-8, 15-3). 

Game One: Lenoir-Rhyne 6, Queens 1
The game opened with both teams finding early offense from their respective leadoff specialists. First, Queens second baseman Sydney Ditto smashed a leadoff homerun to left field. Then, L-R centerfielder Erin Boone hit her own leadoff solo shot down the right field line in the bottom half of the inning. 

The Royals continued to put runners on base after the leadoff homerun in the first, second and third innings, respectively, but were unable to find the key hit to push across another run. That came back to haunt them a bit as the Bears were able to find some offensive success over the next two innings. 

After second baseman Madison Poe's RBI base hit in the fourth inning, Lenoir-Rhyne added four more runs in the fifth inning to take over a 6-1 lead. 

Queens attempted to respond in the sixth inning as they proceeded to load the bases on only one out, but Bears pitcher Sydney Miller was able to maneuver out of trouble with an inning ending double play. 

That ended up being the last chance for the Royals as they were retired in order in the seventh inning to drop game one, 6-1.

Game Two: Lenoir-Rhyne 4, Queens 2
After a quiet opening inning of action, Lenoir-Rhyne struck first as they plated three runs in the bottom of the second inning. The key at bat of the frame was Erin Boone's, two-out, two-RBI base knock to right field that turned the inning into a big one for the Bears.

L-R the added to their lead in the third when Mackensi Swain lined an RBI single to leftfield with the bases loaded. The Bears were poised to add more runs on the same play, but the Royals were able to get Madison Poe into a rundown and catcher Abby Lathan made the tag to escape the inning.

Queens was able to seize the momentum of that play and turn it into a run in each of the fourth and fifth innings as they narrowed the deficit to 4-2.

First, starting pitcher Evie Scott helped her own cause with a hit to right-centerfield that brought Elaina Frantellizzi in from second base. Then, in the fifth inning, first baseman Kelly Winter doubled in Sydney Ditto who went first base to home. 

The Royals had one final chance in the seventh inning as centerfielder Brooke Sanford got on base due to an L-R fielding error. After an out, Ditto moved Sanford into scoring position and Winter followed in behind with a walk to put two Royals on base. Unfortunately, that was as far as Queens were to get as Lenoir-Rhyne got the next batter to strike out to end the game. 

Up Next
With the regular season now complete, Queens will now await to see its fate for the South Atlantic Conference Tournament schedule April 27-29 in Hartsville, S.C.