CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte Royals softball team (6-20 2-15 SAC) fell to Tusculum University (16-14, 10-8 SAC) this afternoon in both games of their South Atlantic Conference doubleheader.
 
Game One: Tusculum 19 – Queens 6
Trailing 3-0 early in game one after the Pioneers used a home run and a single to record three RBI and lead 3-0 in the top of the first, Queens' Breanna Martinez responded with a home run to left field recording three RBI to knot the game up, 3-3.
 
Five home runs followed for the Pioneers over the next four innings as Tusculum added eight unanswered runs to the board making the score 11-3.
 
The Royals' final two runs of the game would come in the bottom of the fifth when Ashlyn Mickler doubled to right field recording an RBI. Haley Hmiel followed with a single to center field that brought two runners home and closed the margin to five, 11-6.
 
That score held until the seventh when the Pioneers closed the game adding eight runs to the board off six hits.
 
Four pitchers would see time in the game as Khristen McPherson recorded the loss. Emily Sappington of Tusculum recorded the win after pitching five innings.

Game Two: Tusculum 7 – Queens 5
Both teams got on the board in the second inning of game two as the Pioneers used a pair of singles to score three runs. Queens was able to record an unearned run in the inning when Sabrina Martinez reached first base by way of fielder's choice before stealing second and third. She then scored on a throwing error by Tusculum's catcher to make the score 3-1.
 
The Pioneers then extended their lead to four, 5-1, with two runs scored in the top of the fourth. However, Queens' Kayla Smith answered in the bottom of the inning blasting a bomb over the left field fence to record three RBI and cut the deficit to one, 5-4.
 
The Royals struggled to get their bats going in the final two innings played until Haley Nelson homered to right center for the home team's final run of the day. Unfortunately, the Pioneers had recorded one run in each of the last two innings which helped them hold on to the lead and the win.
 
Victoria Elder and Shannon McGuire both saw action in the pitching circle as Elder recorded the loss. McGuire finished with five strikeouts. Savannah Foster for Tusculum recorded the win after striking out six batters.
 
Queens will be back at home on Wednesday, April 14 taking on Catawba College. Games will begin at 1 p.m.