CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Royals headed back to USC Upstate to compete in the two-day Wings ETC Classic, playing their first two games of the weekend against Iona and the host Spartans. The first game saw Queens' offense post an impressive seven runs including their first grand slam of the season, but were defeated in extra innings, 8-7. The second game saw the Royals face off with USC Upstate for the second time this week. They had a much better showing the second time around but we unable to score after the first inning, falling 3-1.

GAME 1
Autumn Courtney was on the mound for the Royals in game one, quickly falling behind with Iona hitting a two-run home run in the top of the first. Queens quickly got one back in the bottom of the inning as Haley Hmiel found open grass up the middle to bring home Ashlyn Mickler who had walked and stole second earlier in the inning. 

Queens followed that up with a game-tying run in the bottom of the second as Kaylee DeJesus knocked one up the middle which scored Madyson Daughtry and tied the game at two.

Later in the fifth, Kayla Smith and Hmiel opened up the inning with a pair of singles, later joined on base by Kasidi Staley who walked to load the bases. Two batters later, Caroline Johnson stepped up to bat and swung for the fences on the first pitch of the at-bat, knocking one over the left-center field wall for a grand slam; her first collegiate home run in grand fashion that brought home four runs and gave Queens a 6-2 lead. 

Iona did not give up as they'd put together a strong next half inning, matching Queens' four runs and knotting the game at six before taking a 7-6 lead in the top of the seventh. 

With their backs against the wall, the Royals managed to bring a run home in the bottom of the seventh as a single by Daughtry scored Juhles Kelly and forced extra innings. 

Iona managed to put up a run in the top of the eighth inning which Queens was unable to respond to, as they'd go on to win 8-7. 

GAME 2
In their second matchup of the week, Queens got on the board early thanks to Ashlyn Mickler, who found open space up the middle to bring home Gerlea Patton and take an early 1-0 lead. 

The Spartans responded quickly, putting up a run in the bottom of the inning, later adding a run in the second and another in the third as Queens was unable to score again and would fall, 3-1. 

The Royals are back in action tomorrow, February 26 as they compete in day two of the Wings ETC Classic with a matchup against Drexel at 10AM, followed by their third showdown against USC Upstate at 2PM.