CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Royals were back in action Friday afternoon with a pair of road matchups against Lipscomb. Both teams relied on strong pitching in each game, as the score remained tight throughout. Queens snuck out a 2-1 win in a 10-inning thriller in the first game, before narrowly falling to the Bisons in game two, 2-1. 

GAME 1
Autumn Courtney got the start for Queens and continues to sit amongst the conference's best. She shut down opposing batting, only giving up six hits and not allowing a run until the 10th inning. 

Queens managed a few hits early but were unable to bring any across the plate at the end of seven innings, forcing the game into extra innings. 

In the top of the 10th, Caroline Johnson lined a shot to third base that forced a throwing error and brought home Madyson Daughtry to score the first run of the game for either side. 

Two batters later, a hard-hit ball by Gerlea Patton forced a Lipscomb's second error of the inning that helped bring home Caroline Johnson and double Queens' lead. 

The Bisons responded well and got a run back in the bottom of the 10th but, with a runner on third and two outs, flied out to center to propel the Royals to a game-one victory.

GAME 2
Abby Craver got the call in game two and got to work early. Craver struck out her third batter in the bottom of the second inning, but a passed ball brought home Lipscomb's first run of the game. 

In the next half inning, Kayla Smith got things going early with a double to left field. After Smith later advanced to third, a single by Ashlyn Mickler brought her home and quickly knotted the game at one. 

Craver continued to deal as she'd hold Lipscomb off the board for the next three innings until the bottom of the sixth, when a single by the Bisons put them back on top, 2-1.

Queens were unable to tie the game in the final half inning, as Lipscomb would even the series with a 2-1 victory.

NEXT UP
Queens will compete in the rubber match of the series against Lipscomb on Saturday, April 8 at 11 AM CT.