ANDERSON, S.C. – Elaina Frantellizzi put the offense on her back and the six-seeded Queens University of Charlotte softball team (35-14, 11-10) defeated Newberry, 5-4, in eight innings in the quarterfinal round of the South Atlantic Conference Championships. The Royals advance to the semifinals to face second-seeded Coker on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
 
Frantellizzi played the hero for Queens as she knocked in all five runs, including the go-ahead run in extra innings with a solo blast to left-center field. It was her second home run of the day as her first came on a first-inning grand slam that put the Royals up a quick 4-0. 
 
Frantellizzi, who entered the game with only one home run on the season, finished the game with three hits, two home runs and a double, and all five RBIs. Her lone home run of the regular season came on April 8 against Limestone.
 
With the win, Queens completed a three-game sweep over the Wolves this season after beating them in both games of a doubleheader back in March.
 
Royals ace Courtney Pearson picked up the complete-game victory as she pitched all eight innings, giving up eight hits and four runs (only one earned) to go with five strikeouts. Pearson, in her 18th complete game this season, improves to 16-8 on the year. 
 
After taking the early 4-0 lead, Newberry battled back and scored four unanswered runs to tie the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning. But in the bottom of the seventh inning, when the Wolves had the bases loaded and only one out while threatening to complete the comeback, Pearson forced a crucial double play thanks to a brilliant play from Breanna Martinez at third base who stepped on third for the force out before throwing out the batter at first to end the inning.
 
During the next at bat, Frantellizzi went deep and gave Pearson the cushion she needed to close the door.
 
The Royals, who face Coker tomorrow, hold a 1-1 record against the Cobras this season after a doubleheader split in Hartsville, S.C., at the beginning of April. Pearson, who promises to be in the circle on Saturday, led Queens to the 8-3 win in the Game One victory.