CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Queens softball faced off with Bellarmine Sunday afternoon for the rubber match of their series on the road at Bellarmine. Much like in her first start of the weekend, Autumn Courtney was lights on the mound while strong hitting and baserunning by Kayla Smith helped propel the Royals to a 2-1 victory in the final game of the series, with Queens ultimately winning the series 2-1. 

Autumn Courtney got the start for the second time this weekend and the freshman continues to dominate opposing batters. She pitched a complete game and only gave up one run on just two hits while striking out 10 batters. On the weekend, she totaled 25 strikeouts and only gave up four hits total.

Kayla Smith got Queens on the board early, as she got a hold of a pitch perfectly that she'd send over the center-field wall to give the Royals a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. 

Bellarmine would tie the game in the bottom of the second with a home run of their own, as the game would remained knotted at one until the sixth inning. 

In the sixth, Kayla Smith turned on the jets, knocking a single and reaching second on a throwing error. With Kiana Termine at the plate next, Kayla dashed to third on a wild pitch which caused an errand throw by the catcher and ultiately brought Smith home to give Queens a late 2-1 lead. 

Courtney earned her 10th and final strikeout in the bottom of the seventh as Queens would hold on to win, 2-1. 

COACH'S WORDS
"Great team win for us today", said head coach Kella Goins". "Kayla had a dominant day at the plate, while autumn had an outstanding performance in the circle. We look forward to building off of this momentum as we travel to Boone on Tuesday."

NEXT UP
Queens returns home next weekend with three-game series against Lipscomb on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8. 

SOCIAL MEDIA
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