FIRST PITCH (GAME 1)
Score: #15 FGCU 14 | Queens 11
Records: FGCU (24-6 overall, 8-2 ASUN) | Queens (6-23 overall, 2-8 ASUN)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (The Stick)
 
The Short Story: The nationally ranked Florida Gulf Coast Eagles blasted six home runs in game one as they took the opener from the Royals, 14-10.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Florida Gulf Coast would strike first in the top of the first inning with three runs on four hits. The scoring was highlighted by a two-run home run to left field by Joe Kinker.
-The Royals would answer in the bottom half with two runs on two hits. Andrew McDermott opened the inning with a single to right center before Riley Cheek doubled down the right-field line. Connor Manco would bring McDermott in to score with a groundout before Cheek scored on a balk.
-The Eagles would add a run in the top of the second courtesy of a solo home run from Stephen Wilmer. Queens would answer back in the bottom of the second with two runs on two hits. Christian Maggio worked a leadoff single before Tyler Peters walked. JJ Sousa would lace an RBI single into center field bringing Maggio in to score. Nick Melton would advance both runners up with a sacrifice bunt before Andrew McDermott hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game 4-4.
-FGCU would pile on in the third inning with five runs on five hits, including two home runs. Alejandro Figueredo belted a two-out grand slam to cap off the scoring.
-The Royals would respond in the bottom of the third again with two runs on two hits. Nick Brassington opened the inning with a single to left field before Connor Manco singled and advanced to second on a fielding error by the Eagles. With runners on second and third, JD Coleman and Christian Maggio recorded back-to-back RBI groundouts to cut the deficit to 9-6.
-In the top of the sixth inning, FGCU would extend their lead with two runs on one hit. A timely sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout would give the Eagles an 11-6 lead. Queens would respond in the bottom half as Christian Maggio belted his second home run of the season.
-FGCU would add three runs in the top of the seventh inning behind three hits. The Eagles belted their fifth and sixth home runs of the game. As they have done all the way up to this point, the Royals would respond in the bottom half. Following a leadoff walk from Andrew McDermott, senior Riley Cheek would lace an RBI double down the left-field line. Nick Brassington would walk and Connor Manco would follow it up with an RBI single into right field. JD Coleman would round out the scoring with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 14-10.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-Four Royals turned in multi-hit performances, including Andrew McDermott, Riley Cheek, Connor Manco, and Christian Maggio.
-Connor Manco led the charge with a 3-for-5 afternoon, including his first collegiate home run in the ninth inning.
-Riley Cheek ripped a pair of doubles increasing his season extra-base hit total to 20 while Christian Maggio blasted his second home run of the season.
-Nick Brassington and JJ Sousa added a hit on the afternoon.
 
FIRST PITCH (GAME 2)
Score: #15 FGCU 11 | Queens 5
Records: FGCU (25-6 overall, 9-2 ASUN) | Queens (6-24 overall, 2-9 ASUN)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (The Stick)
 
The Short Story: Four Royals record multi-hit performances as Queens fell to FGCU in game two of the doubleheader.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-After FGCU plated a run in the top of the first, the Royals erupted for four runs on five hits. Andrew McDermott opened the bottom half with a single to right center. Nick Brassington would follow it up with a one-out double down the left-field line. Connor Manco would step in and deliver his second blast of the day with a three-run home run to right center. JD Coleman would lace a two-out single to right field before Tyler Peters ripped an RBI triple down the right-field line.
-The Eagles would cut into the lead in the top of the fifth inning when Stephen Wilmer blasted a leadoff home run to right center.
-Following a 2:38 minute rain delay, the Eagles would come out swinging and plated three runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Joe Kinker led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Edrick Felix would follow with a one-out RBI double to right center field to tie the game 4-4. With two outs, Stephen Wilmer belted his third home run of the day, and second in the game with a two-run shot to right field which gave them a 5-4 lead.
-FGCU would add to their lead in the top of the seventh inning with five runs on three hits. The Royals would answer in the bottom half of the inning as Nick Melton roped his third home run of the season to lead off the inning.
-The Eagles would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning with a solo home run to left field from Edrick Felix.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Jeffery Maidhof put together an outstanding start for the Royals tossing 5.0 innings and surrendering two runs, but only one earned with four strikeouts. Maidhof has tossed at least 5.0 innings in his last five starts.
-Riley Cheek, Nick Brassington, JJ Sousa, and Nick Melton each turned in a multi-hit performance. Brassington extended his hitting streak to seven games with a 2-for-4 evening while Nick Melton belted his third home run of the season. Sousa has recorded a multi-hit game in four games this season, including two of the last three while Cheek has posted multi-hit performances in three straight games.
-Andrew McDermott, Connor Manco, JD Coleman, and Tyler Peters added a hit in the game.
-Queens got the lead off man on in 5-of-9 innings. With two outs, the Royals hit .417.
-Despite plating double-digit runs in both games, the Royals fell to 5-4 on the season when scoring 10+ runs in a game.

NEXT UP
The Royals and Eagles are set to wrap up the ASUN series on Friday, April 7^th at 2:00 p.m. from the Richard "Stick" Williams Dream Fields. Fans should stay tuned for possible schedule updates with the looming inclement weather by following Queens Baseball and Queens Athletics on social media.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the baseball program on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with Queens Baseball. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics, to stay up to date with all of the Royals' Athletics.