ST. AUGUSTINE, FLA. – The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team (1-1) split their opening day series with the Flagler Saints (1-1) following a pair of extra inning contests at Drysdale Field on Saturday afternoon. The Royals took the first game of the new season 4-3 in 10 innings before falling in the nightcap 3-2 in 10 innings. The victory in game one is the first time the Royals have opened the season victorious in their young program's history.
 
The afternoon was highlighted by redshirt senior outfielder Nick Brassington. The Raleigh native blasted three homeruns on the afternoon, including a pair of no doubt solo shots in the second. Brassington totaled six hits on eight plate appearances and finished with four RBI.
 
Game One: Queens 4 | Flagler 3
 
In game one of the Saturday doubleheader, both units saw outstanding production from their starting pitchers. For the Royals, Jeffery Maidhof got the ball and tossed five innings while surrendering an earned run on seven hits. The redshirt sophomore would also fan three batters.
 
The Saints were the first to strike on a John Fiorenza homerun to center field in the third inning. However, Queens would not seem bothered by the early run as MJ Sasapan reached on a hit by pitch before Nick Brassington blasted his first homerun of the season to right field. The two-out round tripper put the Royals up 2-1. Flagler would respond in the bottom half of the fourth by capitalizing on an error to knot the score 2-2.
 
Both teams would turn to their bullpens for the latter part of the game and the relievers on both teams managed to work out of multiple jams. In the top of the tenth inning, Nick Brassington led off the inning with a single through the left side before the next two Royals would be retired. Queens would dig into their two out approach and Nick Melton ripped a double into center field bringing Brassington around to score from first. Looking to add insurance, Mason Pickard would follow up with a double down the right field line scoring Melton to give the Royals a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the tenth.
 
A leadoff walk followed by a single put the pressure on the Royals to execute a pitch and escape the jam. On the very next pitch, Daniel Bagwell would dig deep and induce a 6-4-3 double play. The Saints would chip away at the lead with a two-out single, but Bagwell got a fly ball to left field to seal the 4-3 victory.
 
In the first game, Queens plated four runs on seven hits while committing one error. The Saints would score three runs on 12 hits while also committing an error. The Royals bullpen was outstanding in game one tossing a combined five innings between Christian Brown, Nick Charleson, and Daniel Bagwell. Charleson would pick up the seasons first win after hurling three innings and fanning a pair.
 
Game Two: Flagler 3 | Queens 2
 
Looking to complete the opening day sweep, Queens received another outstanding performance from their starting pitching, this time it was Justin Offschanka. The redshirt junior finished the evening with six innings pitched and two hits allowed.
 
Both pitchers were seemingly dialed in early as neither offense could strike a run across. In the top of the fourth, Nick Brassington came up clutch again with a two-out homerun over the center field fence for his second of the day.
 
The first true scoring threat from Flagler came in the bottom of the fourth when the Saints used two-out hitting to get runners on the corners. Seemingly unfazed, Offschanka would dial in and get the next batter to ground out to the pitcher and keep the score even.
 
With the lone run of the game being a solo shot from Brassington, the Royals looked to their bullpen to shut the door again. In the eighth, the Saints would capitalize on a pair of Royals and use a sacrifice fly to grab a late 2-1 lead.
 
With three outs remaining, Nick Brassington stepped in and launched his third homerun of the day to right center and tie the game 2-2. The Royals seemed to come alive earning a walk and single to continue to threaten, but the Saints would record back-to-back strikeouts and escape the damage.
 
After failing to score in the top of the tenth, Flagler would enter the box patiently earning a pair of walks. With two outs and the lead runner at second, Luke Welborn would shoot a single through the left side bringing home the winning run.
 
The two teams will conclude the weekend series tomorrow, Feb. 6 at Drysdale Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 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.