FIRST PITCH
Score: USC Upstate 8 | Queens 6
Records: USC Upstate (13-9 overall) | Queens (3-17 overall, 0-3 ASUN)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Richard "Stick" Williams Field)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped a Tuesday tilt with USC Upstate as the Spartans used a three-run ninth inning to come from behind to win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-The Royals would scratch across the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. Zach Weston laced a one-out double to center field before Riley Cheek roped an RBI double into right field.

-Queens would add another run in the third as Riley Cheek capitalized with a two-out RBI double to left field. The extra-base hit brought around Brassington who ripped a one-out single earlier in the inning.

-The visiting Spartans would respond in the top of the fifth inning with four runs on four hits. With the bases loaded and one out, Cole Caruso worked an RBI walk before Daniel Gernon reached on a fielder's choice bringing across the second run. Troy Hamilton would single into left field and two runs would score on a throwing error by the Royals.

-Queens would answer in the sixth with two runs on one hit to even the score 4-4. Matt Riley would rip a one-out single to right field before advancing to second on an error by the Spartans pitcher. Connor Manco and Tyler Peters worked back-to-back walks for the Royals to load the bases. Nick Brassington and Zach Weston managed to work consecutive two-out RBI walks to complete the scoring for Queens.

-The Royals would regain the lead in the seventh inning scoring a run on two hits. JJ Sousa would lace a leadoff single to open the inning. Matt Riley worked a one-out walk which put Sousa in scoring position at second. With two outs, Tyler Peters would place a single into center field bringing Sousa in to score for the 5-4 lead.

-USC Upstate would manufacture a run in the eighth inning as they capitalized on consecutive walks to lead off the inning.

-Queens would answer in the bottom half of the eighth with a run on two hits to regain a 6-5 lead. Zach Weston worked a one-out walk before Riley Cheek singled to center field which moved Weston up to third. JJ Sousa would come through clutch with an RBI single to center field.

-The visitors managed to add three runs in the top of the ninth inning by capitalizing on three Royals errors.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Riley Cheek extended his on-base streak to 20 straight games with a 4-for-5 evening. The three doubles from the senior tied for the fourth most in a single game in program history.

-JJ Sousa posted his second multi-hit outing of the season with a 2-for-2 afternoon, including an RBI and a run.

-Nick Brassington, Zach Weston, Will Budnick, Matt Riley, and Tyler Peters each added a hit on the day.

-Royals starting pitcher Kei Yamagishi tossed an efficient 5.0 innings for the Royals. The senior surrendered three earned runs across six hits while striking out a season-high five batters.

-Isaiah Bennett worked a clean inning of relief while striking out a Spartan.

-Queens saw 16 opportunities with runners in scoring position and only capitalized with a .250 average.

-The five errors were the most by a Royals team since March 27, 2021.


NEXT UP
The Royals will welcome the Lipscomb Bisons on Friday, March 24^th for their first home ASUN series. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday night and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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