JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.- The Queens University softball team (24-18, 11-7 SAC) traveled to Jefferson City, Tennessee to take on No. 25 Carson-Newman University (28-12, 8-8 SAC) in a Sunday afternoon conference showdown, sweeping the Eagles for the first time in program history. The Royals defeated Carson-Newman 7-4 in both games.
Game One: Queens 7 | Carson-Newman 4
The Royals opened play with a pair of runs in the top of the first to lead early in game one.
Gerlea Patton would get Queens going with a leadoff double before
Haley Nelson joined her on base after being walked.
Jordyn Thompson and
Kayla Smith then each recorded RBI singles to bring the pair across home plate.
Carson-Newman answered in the bottom with a groundout RBI to give the game a 2-1 score.
In the third, Smith recorded a two-RBI triple to right field plating both Nelson and
Kaylee DeJesus. Immediately after, she stole home to increase the Royals' lead, 5-1.
Carson Newman's Natalie Corbin helped the Eagles cut Queens' lead to three, 5-2, with a home run inside the park in the bottom of the fifth. However, the Royals responded with their final two runs of the game in the top of the sixth. Patton would score the first on a passed ball while the second would come on a ball sent over the fence by Nelson.
The Eagles would try to make a final push in the bottom of the seventh but only came up with two runs as Queens' defense came up big getting two baserunners out on a double play before the Eagles' final batter grounded out to second ending the game.
Smith led the way offensively recording three RBI, while Nelson went 2-of-3 at the plate. The Royals finished the game with 10 hits and five RBI.
Jordan Dunn pitched all seven innings allowing 10 hits and four runs. Dunn's record improved 12-10.
Syerra Rogers and Sara King saw the action for Carson-Newman with King taking the loss. Both pitchers struck out five apiece.
Game Two: Queens 7 | Carson-Newman 4
Game two looked to be controlled by the Eagles as they built a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth where the Royals began their comeback.
Haley Hmiel would get the Royals going in the top of the inning with an RBI single up the middle that allowed Smith to score.
In the sixth, the Royals had a runner on second and two outs before a double to left-center from Thompson made the score 4-2. Thompson was then brought home on a double from
Ashlyn Mickler giving the game a 4-3 score heading into the seventh.
Kasidi Staley would get the Royals in front in the seventh with a two-RBI double down the left-field line. She then scored on a throwing error by Carson-Newman's pitcher that put Queens on top, 6-4. An RBI single from Thompson then allowed Queens to score its final run of the day.
Leading 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Queens was able to retire the Eagles' first three batters to secure the series sweep.
Smith went 2-of-3 at the plate, and Thompson and Staley tallied two RBI each.
Khristen McPherson pitched all seven innings striking out four while allowing 10 hits and four runs. Her record improves to 5-2 on the season.
The Royals will look to continue their hot streak on Wednesday, Apr. 13 as they host the UVA-Wise Cavs at the Tuck. The doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m.
Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram @queenssoftball for updates and news surrounding the team.
