GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team extended its winning streak to six following a sweep of Lander University (9-3). Queens defeated the Bearcats 7-2 in game one and 3-1 in game two, and now sit at 13-2 as they continue their best start in program history.
 
In game one, both the Royals and the Bearcats remained scoreless until Lander drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth. With one runner on base, Halie Sorrow homered to put two runs on the board for Lander.
 
Queens battled right back scoring two runs in the top of the sixth. Gerlea Patton started things off for the Royals with a home run cutting the deficit to one. Following the home run, Sydney Ditto got on base after getting hit by a pitch. She later crossed home plate on a fly ball to right field by Gemma Miller. Lander's right fielder collected the out on the play to end the inning knotted at 2-2. Both teams then went the next inning and a half scoreless pushing the game into extra innings. 
 
In the top of the ninth frame, Kelly Winter, Cierra Robinson, and Sara Ingoldsby all singled to load the bases. Patton then stepped up and hit a SAC fly to plate Winter. Ditto followed with a single and advanced to second while scoring Robinson and advancing Ingoldsby to third. Brooke Sanford then came in to pinch run for Ingoldsby and was brought home on a single by Alyssa Strickler. Strickler's hit also drove Ditto home putting Queens ahead, 6-2. One batter later, Lathan recorded an RBI as Strickler reached home on a single that gave the Royals a five-run lead, 7-2, that held through the bottom of the frame.
 
Courtney Pearson completed the game for the Royals grabbing her fifth win of the season. She struck out six batters and gave up just four hits in nine innings pitched. Patton went one-for-two with two RBIs and her first collegiate home run. 
 
Game two would get off to a slow start as well with neither team getting on the board until the fourth inning. Lathan got the Royals going with a single. She then advanced to second on a SAC fly by Strickler before getting into scoring position on third on a ground ball to the short stop. Allison Lopez then came in to pinch hit and hit a two-run home run to put the Royals in front, 2-0. The Bearcats then scored one run in the bottom of the frame to set the score at 2-1 going into the fifth.
 
Queens' final run of the game came in the top of the seventh. After Ingoldsby reached first on an error, Robinson came in to pinch run and stole second base. She then scored on a single by Ditto to put the Royals up 3-1.
 
Strickler led in the win at two-for-two and Lathan went one-for-three with one run scored for the Royals.
 
Queens is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 24 when they travel to Claflin University for a doubleheader at 12 and 2 p.m.