CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens softball kicked off their 2023 season with a rescheduled doubleheader against App State. In their first game as a Division I program, Queens were able to set the tone early with a big 5-4 victory, holding off a late comeback attempt by the Mountaineers. The Royals would then fall to App State in the second game, earning a split to commence the season.

Game 1
Although Queens was outhit in the first game, they were able to compile their hits in a timely fashion to put runs on the board. After giving up a home run and trailing 1-0 in the top of the third, the Royals responded shortly after. Jordyn Thompson scorched a ground ball that gave App State trouble and would bring home Kaylee DeJesus and tie the game at one. 

One inning later, a well-placed single by Kasidi Staley helped Juhles Kelly cross the plate and give Queens a 2-1 lead, later growing to 3-1 thanks to fielder's choice groundout by Caroline Johnson. 

Haley Hmiel put down a sacrifice bunt to bring in the fourth run in the bottom of the fifth, with Lindsey DeRoeck scoring on a passed ball shortly after to put Queens ahead, 5-2. 

App State would chip away at the lead with a second home run in the sixth and fielder's choice in the seventh, however Abby Craver would hold on for the save after entering in the beginning of the inning. Autumn Courtney pitched the previous six innings, doing a nice job at keeping App State's offense at bay, holding them to four runs while striking out three. 

Game 2
Queens struggled to get going early in the second game. The Mountaineers scored the first run of the game in the second inning and followed that up with a four-run inning in the fourth. 

Courtney was put in to pitch the final 3.1 innings and did an outstanding job, allowing zero runs while only giving up one hit. 

The Royals finally crossed home in the bottom of the sixth, as a Lindsey DeRoeck walk on a wild pitch brought home Kayla Smith. 

In the seventh, Gerlea Patton knocked one up the middle to bring home the second run of the game but the team would stall there as App State would hold on for the victory. 

COACH'S WORDS
"Honestly, I'm lost for words" said head coach Stacey Schramm. "This year and transition has been challenging (but also exciting) for all of our teams. We had the luxury of preparing since September for this day. The coaching staff felt like we were ready, but ultimately it's the players who have to genuinely feel that. Their performance today proved that they are 100% bought into everything we do on a daily basis. Quite simply, I'm really happy FOR them and so proud of them because they have earned it".

Queens will head down to South Carolina to compete in the Eagle Classic at Winthrop next Thursday, February 16 to Sunday, February 19.