CHARLOTTE, N.C. -  The Queens University of Charlotte softball team extended its winning streak to 10 with a sweep of Claflin University (4-11) today. The Royals won by scores of 3-1 and 11-4 to improve to 15-2 on the year as they continue their best start to the season in over 20 years.
 
Queens opened the scoring of game one in the top of the third, starting with a single from Gerlea Patton. Sabrina Martinez came in to pinch run for Patton stealing second and third. Abby Lathan was then walked. A passed ball then allowed both runners on base to advance as Martinez crossed the plate to put the Royals up 1-0. With two outs on the board, Lathan would steal third before scoring on a throwing error to set the score at 2-0.
 
Claflin put their lone run of the game on the board in the top of the fifth when Jasmine Squirewell recorded an RBI on a double with a runner on first. 
 
In the top of the seventh, the Royals put one more run on the board to secure their win when the Panthers' pitcher threw a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Lathan, sitting on third at the time, would be the one to score the final run of the game. 
 
Courtney Pearson pitched all seven innings for Queens, striking out nine batters and giving up just one hit and one run. Sydney Ditto went two-for-four with one stolen base while S. Martinez and Lathan tallied two stolen bases and one hit a piece. 
 
In game two, Claflin struck first scoring two runs in the bottom of the first frame when Tiaria Norman hit a home run with a runner on base to put the Panthers up, 2-0.
 
Queens would quickly take over scoring three runs in the top of the second. Evie Scott led off the inning with a single before Lathan reached on a throwing error, and advanced to second while Scott advanced to third. Jordan Hunt then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Scott. Lathan later scored on a fielding error by the third baseman while S. Martinez, who reached base on a fielder's choice, was brought home on a single to centerfield by Cierra Robinson. 
 
After holding the Panthers scoreless in the bottom of the second, Sydney Ditto added another run for the Royals in the top of the frame when she hit her sixth home run of the season.
 
Heading into the fourth frame with a 4-2 lead, Queens added another run to the board when Miller singled to drive Brooke Sanford home. Hunt got the Royals going with a single to the shortstop before Sanford entered the game to pinch run for her. Sanford then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball before Miller stepped up to record the RBI.
 
Claflin battled back in the bottom of the fourth scoring two runs. With a runner on first, LaKaylin Lee tripled to left center to record an RBI. Lee then scored herself when Jamelah Thomas grounded out to second.
 
Once again, Queens would answer in the top of the fifth to secure their sweep over the Panthers. Sara Ingoldsby led off the inning, reaching on a fielder's choice and then advancing to second on a passed ball. Winter was then walked just before Ditto hit a single to load the bases. With one out on the board, Lathan singled to tally another RBI as Ingoldsby scored. The final run of the inning came on a passed ball that allowed Winter to cross the plate.
 
However, the Royals were not finished as they scored four more runs in the top of the sixth. With one out, Robinson was walked and then stole second. She then scored on a double by Ingoldsby to left field. Ackerman then came in to pinch hit for Winter and doubled to right field to score Ingoldsby. Winter re-entered and then scored on a singled from Ditto who then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Scott then singled to the shortstop to score Ditto for the final run of the game.
 
Shannon McGuire secured her sixth win of the season to stay undefeated at 6-0. Ditto went three-for-four with two runs, two RBIs, one home run, and one stolen base while Scott went two-for-four with one run and one RBI.
 
The Royals return home tomorrow Sunday, Feb. 25 to face St. Andrews University in a double-header at 12 and 2 p.m. at Park Road Park. Live stats and audio for the game can be found on the Queens Sports Network.