Queens vs. Carson-Newman – Thursday – 3 p.m. [Live Stats] [Video] [Tournament Central]
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte will begin its march for a conference championship as they take on top-seeded Carson-Newman University tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in the opening round of the 2017 South Atlantic Conference Softball Tournament being held at Byerly Park in Hartsville, S.C.
Queens checks in as the No. 8 seed in this year's tournament after finishing the regular season with a 20-27 overall record and 6-14 in the conference. QU is making their second consecutive and third overall appearance in the SAC Postseason Tournament
The Royals are led by Second Team All-Conference selection Elaina Frantellizzi and Honorable Mention All-Conference honoree Ashton Whitaker. Frantellizzi led the team in batting average (.357), slugging percentage (.551) and was tied with the team lead in homeruns (4) in a breakout junior campaign. While Whitaker made the most of her 23 appearances by posting a slash line of .333/.446/.500 with three homeruns, 14 RBI and double.
Carson-Newman make their way into the postseason at 39-11 and 16-4 in SAC play. The conference regular season co-champion, C-N is currently ranked fourth overall in the latest NCAA Division II Southeast Region Rankings which were released earlier this afternoon.
Freshman Lacie Rinus is the force behind the Eagles' success this season as she was recently named the SAC Pitcher and Freshman of the Year. Rinus led the SAC in wins (21), strikeouts (188) and ERA (1.35).
C-N took the regular season doubleheader against Queens this season as they won by finals of 8-0 and 9-1 back on March 19 in Jefferson City, Tenn.
