FIRST PITCH
Score: #13 North Carolina 10 | Queens 6
Records: North Carolina (23-10 overall, 8-5 ACC) | Queens (6-26 overall, 2-10 ASUN)
Location: Chapel Hill, N.C. (Boshamer Stadium)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team scattered 12 hits and the relief core threw five scoreless innings as the Royals challenged the #13 North Carolina Tar Heels on Tuesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

-North Carolina erupted early as they plated seven runs in the top of the first inning behind four extra-base hits. The scoring output tied for the third most runs in a single inning by a Royals opponent this season.

-The nationally ranked Tar Heels would add three runs in the bottom of the third inning as Patrick Alvarez blasted a three-run home run down the left-field line to extend their lead to 10-0.

-Queens saw one of their best scoring opportunities halted in the top of the fifth inning. Nick Melton and Nick Alderfer worked back-to-back two-out walks, but the Tar Heels went back to the bullpen and issued a flyout to end the inning.

-The Royals would strike in the top of the sixth inning capitalizing on a Tar Heels miscue. Nick Brassington would open the frame with a single into left field. Connor Manco stepped in and popped up to the third baseman in foul territory, but the UNC defender dropped the fly ball. Manco would redeem himself on the next pitch with a two-run home run to right field.

-Queens would cut into the deficit in the top of the seventh inning as JJ Sousa led off the inning with a solo home run to right-center.

-The Royals added another run in the eighth inning as Nick Melton delivered a two-out RBI single into left field.

-Queens made it interesting in the ninth inning as they plated a pair of runs on three hits and one Tar Heels error. Riley Cheek and Nick Brassington recorded back-to-back singles to open the inning before Connor Manco reached on an error by the first baseman. Christian Maggio would bring home the first run with a one-out sacrifice fly to right field before Tyler Peters worked a walk to load the bases. JJ Sousa would lace an RBI single into right field cutting the deficit to 10-6. The Tar Heels would turn to their closer who picked up a strikeout to end the game.
 

BY THE NUMBERS
-Junior Connor Manco extended his hitting streak to eight consecutive games with a 2-for-5 evening. The Fort Mill, S.C. native blasted his third home run of the season with a two-run shot in the sixth inning. Manco has recorded 2+ RBIs in five of the last six games.

-Junior JJ Sousa ripped his second home run of the season with a solo blast in the seventh inning as he went 2-for-5 at the dish.

-Nick Brassington turned in a 3-for-5 evening as he has recorded a hit in eight of the last nine games.

-The Royals scattered 12 hits on the evening marking the 14^th time this season that they have recorded double-digit hits. Nick Alderfer, Riley Cheek, JD Coleman, Christian Maggio, and Nick Melton each added a hit on the night.

-Queens played a clean game of baseball committing no errors for the sixth time this season.

-The Royals bullpen was flawless after surrendering a seven spot to open the game. Queens surrendered three runs over the remaining 7.0 innings of relief, including 5.0 consecutive scoreless frames to close the game. Isaiah Bennett, Marshall Pile, Joseph Ruller, Kei Yamagishi, and Jeffery Maidhof worked scoreless stanzas against the nationally ranked Tar Heels.

-Despite giving up 11 hits and 10 free passes, the Royals pitching staff executed and stranded 11 UNC baserunners.

-The midweek non-conference matinee saw 18 combined pitchers and 379 total pitches.

NEXT UP
The Royals will head to Clarksville, Tennessee this weekend for an ASUN showdown at Austin Peay State University. The series will get underway on Friday, April 14^th at 7:00 p.m. EST. Fans can tune into the action on ESPN Plus.

 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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