FIRST PITCH
Score: UNC Asheville 17 | Queens 11
Records: UNCA (12-4 overall, 0-0 SoCON) | Queens (3-13 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Tuckaseegee Dream Fields)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team battled hard and scored 10 unanswered runs, but dropped a non-conference tilt with UNC Asheville on Tuesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-The visiting Bulldogs struck first in the top of the first inning with four runs on two hits and two walks. UNC Asheville would work back-to-back walks before advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. Dylan Bacot would single up the middle plating the game's first run while the runners advanced to first and third. Corbin Lanowitz would rip a two-run double down the right-field line and advance to third on the throw home. A ground out to shortstop would bring Lanowitz around to complete the scoring for the Bulldogs.

-UNC Asheville extended their lead to 6-0 in the second inning as they capitalized on three walks. With the bases loaded and one out, Dylan Bacot was hit by a pitch to bring across the first run before a single to left field by Corbin Lanowitz plated the second runner.

-The visitors would add seven runs in the third as they capitalized on two Royals errors with five hits.

-Asheville tacked on three runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning.

-The Royals got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with three runs on two hits. JJ Sousa would lead off the inning with a double before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Tyler Cotto would single through the left side plating the Royals first run of the game. After JD Coleman was hit by a pitch, Tyler Peters would single to left field to load the bases. Nick Brassington would reach on a fielder's choice as all three baserunners advanced on a throwing error by the third baseman. Riley Cheek would be hit by a pitch which scored Coleman for the Royals third run. With the bases juiced, the Bulldogs went to a new pitcher who struck out the next three Royals in order.

-Queens would chip away at the lead in the bottom of the seven-inning scoring three runs on two hits. Tyler Peters opened the inning with a walk before Nick Brassington was hit by a pitch. Both runners would advance on a wild pitch before Riley Cheek knocked a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Peters and advancing Brassington to third. Dillon Lewis would lace an RBI single down the left field line and advance to second on a Zach Weston ground out. Matt Riley would deliver a two-out single through the right-side bringing Lewis home to cut the deficit to 16-6.

-The Royals would add four more runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the eighth to cut the Bulldogs lead to 16-10. JD Coleman led off the inning with a double down the left field line. After Nick Brassington reached on a one-out hit by pitch, Riley Cheek ripped a single to center field to load the bases. Dillon Lewis would tally an RBI with a hit-by-pitch before Zach Weston reached on an error by the left fielder which scored Brassington. JJ Sousa would work a two-out walk to score Cheek before Colin Gross earned a pinch-hit walk to bring Lewis home.

-The Royals would add a run in the ninth as Dillon Lewis ripped a two-out single up the middle, but the Bulldogs would close out the evening.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Eight Royals recorded a hit on the afternoon, including Riley Cheek, Dillon Lewis, Nick Alderfer, Matt Riley, JJ Sousa, Tyler Cotto, JD Coleman, and Tyler Peters.

-Riley Cheek extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a single to center field in the bottom of the eighth.

-Queens plated double-digit runs for the fourth time this season.

-Marshall Pile increased his scoreless streak on the mound to 5.2 innings with a pair of clean innings.

-As a pitching staff, Queens surrendered 15 total free passes, including 11 walks. The mark was one shy of tying the most in a single game which was set back on March 13, 2021.

-Between both pitching staffs, there were a combined 18 walks and nine hit batters.

-The Royals have lost seven straight games heading into ASUN play.

NEXT UP
The Royals will get their first taste of ASUN competition this weekend as they travel to Jacksonville State for a three-game series. The series will begin on Friday, March 17^th at 6:00 p.m. from Jacksonville, Alabama. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the Jacksonville State Athletics website.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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