CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Queens University of Charlotte Softball team hosted the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears (22-7, 7-1) this afternoon at the Tuck, handing them their first conference loss in the season in game one, 7-4, before falling in game two, 9-4. The Royals' record now sits at 16-14on the year and 3-3 in South Atlantic Conference play.
 
Game One: Queens 7 | Lenoir-Rhyne 4

The Bears opened with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning. Queens freshman third baseman Jordyn Thompson would get the Royals on the board in the bottom of the second responding with a home run to cut the lead to one, 2-1. The Bears answered back when Lauren Rakes homered to center field to put the visitors in front, 3-1, in the top of the fourth, but Thompson had an answer again recording an RBI double that plated Kayla Smith and gave the game a 3-2 score.

The Royals would shock the Bears and take over control of the game in the fifth as both Kaylee DeJesus and Smith blasted back-to-back home runs to help Queens take a 4-3 lead.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne would answer once more scoring on a double to center field to knot the game, 4-4, in the top of the seventh, but Queens' Smith sent another one over the fence with two runners on base to give the Royals the 7-4 victory in the bottom.
 
Smith led the way for the Royals going 3-for-4 at the plate and tallying four RBI, while Thompson went 2-of-3 recording two RBI.
 
Jordan Dunn was the only Royal to see action in the pitcher's circle taking the victory and improving her record to 7-7. Dunn struck out eight while allowing eight hits and four runs.
 
Game Two: Lenoir-Rhyne 9 | Queens 4

The Bears jumped out early in the second game scoring four runs in the first inning following a grand slam. They then increased their lead to 6-0 recording a home run in the second and third while the Royals remained scoreless.

Jordan Hunt and Ashlyn Mickler recorded RBIs in the third to give the game a 6-2, but the Bears' luck continued as they hit two more home runs in the sixth and seventh to take a 9-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Queens closed the game with a pair of runs from Kasidi Staley and Haley Nelson to fall by five runs, 9-4. Khristen McPherson and Hunt recorded RBIs in the inning.
 
The Royals are set to take on Carson-Newman on Friday, March 18 on the road. Game one is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
 
Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram @queenssoftball and Twitter @QUOCSoftball for the latest news and updates on the team.