FLORENCE, S.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team moved to 2-4 on the season after splitting with Francis Marion University on the road this evening. Queens would fall 10-3 in game one before rebounding to take an 11-0 victory in game two.
 
Game One: Francis Marion 10 Queens 3

Queens' Haley Nelson opened the scoring in game one with a homer to left field that put the Royals on top early, 1-0. However, the Patriots would respond in the bottom of the first scoring six runs in the long inning. A pair of walks placed two on base for Janecia Hemingway to bring home with a double to left center. Khristen McPherson would sub in at pitcher for Jordan Dunn following another walk, but an error in left field would lead to another pair of runs for the Patriots. Francis Marion then scored another two runs before Ashtyn Patterson grounded out to third base to take the game into the top of the second.
 
Things remained quiet offensively until the third when Nelson delivered another bomb to left field to make the score 6-2. Unfortunately, the Patriots had an answer once again scoring two runs in the bottom of the third to increase their lead to 8-2.
 
In the fifth, Gerlea Patton would score the Royals' final run after getting hit by a pitch to get on base. Jordan Hunt singled to left field to record the RBI on the play.
 
Francis Marion scored its final two runs in the game in the bottom of the sixth when Danielle Karacson recorded a two-RBI double to left-center field.
 
Dunn recorded the loss in the circle to move to 0-3 on the year. McPherson pitched five innings, striking out two batters.

Game Two: Queens 11 Francis Marion 0
 
In game two, both teams struggled at bat through the first two innings of play. However, Queens would turn things around in the third despite two early outs in the inning. A pair of stolen bases by Patton and Kasidi Staley set things up for Kaylee DeJesus who delivered singling to center field to record two RBI. Nelson followed suit with a single through the left side giving the Royals two base runners and Hunt stepping up to the plate. Hunt would blast the ball over the right-field fence to record three RBI and put the Royals on top 5-0.
 
Leading 6-0 after adding another run to the board in the top of the fourth, Queens would close the game out in the top of the fifth scoring five more runs. With the bases loaded, Haley Hmiel got the Royals going with a single down the right-field line. Queens would score two runs on the play due to a throwing error by the Patriots' right fielder. Hunt then scored on the next play when Reese Trotti fouled out to right field. Queens' final two runs of the night would come on a two-run homer from Kayla Smith.
The Royals scored their 11 runs on 10 hits in game two as Kate Hunter recorded her first win in the pitching circle this season.
 
Queens will open at home this weekend hosting the first of three round robins. The Royals will welcome Lees-McRae and the University of Charleston to The Tuck on Feb. 12 and 13. Games are scheduled to begin at 10 am each morning.
 
Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram @queenssoftball and Twitter @QUOCSoftball for the latest news and updates on the team.  Additionally, fans can follow the Royals on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics.