CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Following a thrilling comeback victory on Saturday afternoon, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team (4-3) suffered a Sunday setback falling to the Lander Bearcats (2-4) by a final score of 8-4 at Tuckaseegee Dream Fields. With the Royals loss, the two teams split the weekend series.
 
The afternoon was highlighted offensively by Nick Brassington and Mason Pickard. Brassington picked up a pair of hits and two RBI's on Sunday as the senior has recorded multi-hit performances in six of the Royals seven games. Pickard also knocked two singles on the afternoon to extend his hitting streak to four games. One of the heroes from yesterday, Dillon Lewis, smacked a two-RBI double in the fourth inning to pull the Royals within one.
 
The Bearcats would strike first in the second inning on an overcast and chilly Sunday afternoon. Lander worked consecutive one-out walks before a single into center brought in the game's first run while advancing Wilder to third. The Bearcats would extend their lead on the next pitch as a fielder's choice to second base would give them a 2-0 lead. Lander would threaten again with two outs and a runner on third, but Royals starting pitcher Kei Yamagishi picked up a critical strikeout to minimize the damage.
 
Both offenses would be held at bay during the third, but used the fourth to put crooked numbers up. The Bearcats managed to plate two runs on three hits in the inning and extend their lead to 4-0. Looking to get their bats going, the Royals got back-to-back singles from Carter Foster and Alex Sexton to lead off the inning. The Bearcats would induce a double play looking to minimize the momentum shift. However, Queens has done most of their damage this season with two outs and nothing changed this inning. Nick Brassington worked a clutch single to get the Royals on the board before Nick Melton also laced a single into left field. Dylan Lewis stepped up looking to stay hot after winning it for the Royals last night and delivered again with a clutch two-out double down the right field line scoring Brassington and Melton bringing the deficit to 4-3.
 
The Bearcats would answer the Royals with four runs across the fifth and sixth innings to gain a commanding 8-3 lead. The Royals bats were held in check by the Bearcats bullpen for the remaining five innings as Queens only recorded three hits. The Royals tried to spark some magic in the ninth after Garrett Evans reached on an error and Nick Brassington scored him on a single into left center, but the deficit was too much. Tanner Jacobson worked two clean innings in the final two frames recording three strikeouts.
 
The Royals will return to the diamond on Tuesday, Feb. 15 when they travel to North Greenville University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Be sure to follow the Royals baseball program on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest news and updates. Fans can also follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to get updates on all things Royals Athletics.