AIKEN, S.C. – Three fielding errors proved costly for the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team as the Royals dropped a regional matchup with USC Aiken by a 6-3 score on Tuesday night at Roberto Hernandez Field.
 
Aiken improved to 11-8 overall after scoring six runs on 15 hits, while Queens fell to 4-18 overall, totaling three runs on eight hits.
 
The Pacers scored the game's first run in the second inning of play and added one more in the third before Queens scored its first run in the third when redshirt-sophomore Greyson Haller drove in a runner from third. Aiken scored once again in the bottom of the third before extending its lead to 4-1 in the sixth inning.
 
In the seventh, redshirt-senior CJ Hammonds reached on an Aiken error as consecutive singles from redshirt-juniors Mason Pickard and Dominic Ford loaded the bases. Redshirt-sophomore Noah Jones drew a bases loaded walk and sophomore Alex Sexton reached on a fielder's choice to cut the Pacer lead to 4-3.
 
However, Aiken added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh and left two Royals stranded in the top of the ninth inning to preserve the win.
 
Redshirt-sophomore Nick Nelson (0-2) suffered the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits, while sophomore Landen Wright surrendered two runs (one earned) on four hits in two innings of relief. Senior Drake Harris and freshman Caleb Staley each recorded an inning out of the bullpen.
 
Pickard was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and a stolen base and Ford was 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base of his own.
 
Queens returns to action tomorrow night at 6 p.m. against crosstown rival Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C.