CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens kicked off conference play Friday evening with a pair of games at Stetson. Things went right from start to finish for the Royals as they were able to take down the Hatters in both games; sneaking by them in the first game with a 2-1 victory before earning a 5-2 victory in game two.

Autumn Courtney took the mound for game one and continued to dominate as she has all season. Stetson got up on Queens in the bottom of the third as they knocked a home run to center field to go up 1-0. The lead would hold up until the sixth, when Queens were able to strike back.

Kasidi Staley came up to bat with the bases loaded and found open space through the left side, bringing home Kayla Smith and Ashlyn Mickler and putting Queens ahead, 2-0.

Courtney maintained her strong pitching, fanning three batters in the final two innings as the Royals would hold on for the tight victory. She'd end the game with eight strikeouts while only giving up three hits. 

Queens were able to get the bats going early in game two, as a single up the middle by Haley Hmiel scored Kayla Smith and put the Royals on the board, 1-0. 

Two innings later, Lindsey DeRoeck added a single of her own which helped Smith earn her second run of the game and double Queens' lead. 

After remaining scoreless for the next couple innings, the Royals were able to continue the scoring party, thanks to Kiana Termine who singled to left field and brought home Kasidi Staley. Later in the inning, Ashley Mickler forced an error by the shortstop that helped her reach first safely and score Reese Trotti, as Queens went ahead 4-0.

In the top of the seventh, Caroline Johnson knocked an infield single that saw Kasidi Staley score from second thanks to another error to go up 5-0.

Stetson managed a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, but Abby Craver finished things up in the inning to earn a complete-game victory.

NEXT UP
Queens' third game against Stetson has been moved to Saturday, March 18 at 10AM as they wrap up the three-game series.