FLORENCE, ALA. - The Queens University of Charlotte softball team saw their late comeback effort halted in the seventh inning as the Royals dropped game three at North Alabama, 3-2. Despite the loss, the Royals still claimed the weekend series with a pair of victories in yesterday's doubleheader.

North Alabama would get the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning with one run on two hits. A one-out single led to a hit-by-pitch before an RBI single gave the Lions a 1-0 lead.

Royals starter Autumn Courtney would hold the Lions scoreless for the next two innings before North Alabama extended their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning. The Lions got a leadoff single before the second batter reached on an error. Courtney recorded a pop-out before a fielder's choice led to the second run as the Royals committed their second error of the inning. 

In the sixth, the Lions would add an insurance run on a solo home run. However, the Royals came clawing back in the top of the seventh and plated two runs on three hits and one error. Emma Frye would reach on an error to lead off the inning and Ashlyn Mickler followed it up with a single. An infield groundout would advance both runners before Kiana Termine ripped a two-run single cutting the deficit to 3-2. Kayla Smith would lace a two-out single and put the tying run in scoring position at second, but the Lions would get a strikeout to escape.

Queens outhit the Lions 6-5, but four costly errors by the Royals proved to be the difference. Kayla Smith, Jordyn Thompson, KayLee DeJesus, Ashlyn Mickler, Lindsey DeRoeck, and Kiana Termine all recorded a hit on the day. Autumn Courtney fell to 15-8 on the season on the mound, but tossed 6.0 solid innings surrendering five hits, two earned runs, and striking out three Lions. 

NEXT UP
The Royals will return to Charlotte next weekend for their regular season finale as they welcome Liberty University. The three-game series will begin on Friday, May 5th at 4:00 p.m. before the conference foes square off in a doubleheader on Saturday, May 6th. Prior to the doubleheader on Saturday, the Royals will honor and celebrate their 2023 senior class.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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