MOCKSVILLE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte picked up a midweek win on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Piedmont International University 14-5 in a seven-inning contest at Mondo Field.
 
Eight of the nine Royals' hits were of the extra base variety, including six doubles. Sophomore Dominic Ford led the offense with a 4-for-5 performance, collecting two doubles, a triple and his first home run of the season. The Raleigh, N.C. native scored three runs and drove in three of his own, falling a single shy of the cycle.
 
The Bruins held Queens scoreless in the first inning of play and tallied five runs of their own to build an early lead. However, freshman right-hander Jojo Castronovo settled in during his first start of the season and held Piedmont International scoreless across the next four innings.
 
Queens scored one run in both the second and third innings of play before a three-run fourth inning tied the score at 5-all. Two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings put the Royals out in front as a five-run seventh inning sealed the road victory.
 
Castronovo (1-0) got his first win of the year after going five innings on the mound, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

Freshman Christian Huggins made his sixth relief appearance and allowed just one hits while striking out two batters across two innings of work. Huggins also made an appearance at the plate, going 1-for-1 with a two-RBI single and scored a run.
 
Junior Ryan Dudney was 2-for-4 in the game with two doubles and two RBI, while freshmen Aaron Douglas and Anthony Orta were both 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI apiece. Freshmen Grayson Haller and Noah Jones also had RBIs for the Royals.
 
The Royals remain on the road this weekend with a trip to Whiteville, N.C. for a three-game series with Southeastern Community College-Whiteville. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, followed by a single game on Sunday afternoon.