DAHLONEGA, GA. – The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team (5-5) snapped a three-game losing skid by picking up a pivotal 5-4 extra inning victory over No. 19 North Georgia (6-2) on Saturday afternoon. Competing in their fourth extra inning affair this season, the Royals improved to 3-1 in extra innings and have now defeated a top 25 team in the last two seasons.
 
The afternoon was highlighted by junior infielder Nick Melton who extended his hitting streak to eight games courtesy of a three-hit performance. Melton picked up the big swing of the afternoon with a two-out double in the top of the 12^th inning to score the go-ahead run for the Royals.
 
After falling behind 1-0 in the third, the Royals responded in the fourth like they have all season. Queens managed to plate a pair of runs to grab the lead following an error by the Nighthawks. Nick Melton would reach second via an error by the second baseman before Carter Foster laced a triple to bring home the first Royals run. Queens would waste no time bringing Foster in as Riley Cheek grounded out to first which scored the run to give Queens a 2-1 lead.
 
The nationally ranked Nighthawks would return the favor in the bottom of the fifth evening the score 2-2. However, Queens would answer with two as Nick Melton led off the inning with a single before Carter Foster walked. Riley Cheek would rip a single scoring both runs to extend the Royals lead to 4-2. In the bottom of the sixth, North Georgia would cut into the deficit with a run following back-to-back singles and a sacrifice bunt to manufacture a run.
 
Both offenses would go quietly in the seventh and eighth innings before the Nighthawks picked up a pivotal tying run. Trailing 4-3 in the ninth with one out, a solo home run from the Nighthawks would tie the game 4-4 and force the Royals into another extra innings affair.
 
In the top of the 12^th inning, Christian Maggio opened the inning with a single before a pair of fielder's choices put the Nighthawks one out away from escaping the jam. With Alex Sexton on second following a stolen base, Nick Melton drove a double into the gap for an RBI to give the Royals a 5-4 advantage. North Georgia would rally consecutive two-out singles, but Christian Brown buckled in to escape and give the Royals the win.
 
On the afternoon, the Royals plated five runs on nine hits while committing no errors. The Nighthawks would counter with four runs on 12 hits and one error. Seven Royals tallied a base hit on the evening, including three from Nick Melton. Riley Cheek had a productive afternoon in the box driving in three runs for the Royals. Out of the bullpen, three Royals relievers accounted for 7.1 innings and two earned runs. Tanner Jacobson tossed 2.2 innings while fanning six batters and Christian Brown closed out the evening with a win.
 
The weekend rubber match between the Royals and Nighthawks will get under way tomorrow, Feb. 20 at noon. 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.