FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 11 | Bellarmine 0
Records: Queens (15-36 overall, 8-19 ASUN) | Bellarmine (12-40 overall, 7-20 ASUN)
Location: Louisville, Ky. (Knights Field)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team secured the weekend series with an explosive offensive performance in the middle innings and a complete game shutout from senior Zach Kelly.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

-Queens struck first in the top of the fourth inning with three runs on two hits and an error. Riley Cheek opened the frame reaching first on an error. Following a pop-up, JJ Sousa would execute a perfect hit-and-run bringing Cheek around from first base to score. Andrew McDermott would step in and smoke a two-run home run to center field giving the Royals a 3-0 advantage.

-The Royals extended their lead in the fifth inning with two runs on two hits. Sam Hunter got the scoring started with a one-out solo home run to right field. Following consecutive free passes, Christian Maggio singled to center field to load the bases. JJ Sousa would capitalize with a sacrifice fly to right field bringing Tyler Peters in for the 5-0 advantage.

-Queens erupted in the sixth inning with six runs on two hits. The Royals capitalized on four free passes in the inning which was capped off by a JJ Sousa three-run home run to right center extending the lead to 11-0.

BY THE NUMBERS
-JJ Sousa led the offense with a 2-for-3 performance, including five RBIs. The junior extended his hitting streak to six straight games as he has 16 multi-hit performances this season.

-Freshman Sam Hunter finished the day 2-for-2 with three RBIs, including his second home run of the season.

-Christian Maggio and Nick Brassington extended their hitting streaks to six straight games in the finale.

-Andrew McDermott and JD Coleman added a hit on the day. McDermott blasted his second home run of the season with a two-run shot in the fourth inning.

-Zach Kelly tossed a complete-game shutout for the Royals with a season-high nine strikeouts. The senior held the Knights to five hits on 95 pitches.

-Queens improved to 8-3 on the season when plating 10 or more runs in a game.

-The series win marked the Royals third of the season, and second in ASUN action.

-The 11-run differential was the largest margin of victory on the season for Queens.

NEXT UP
The Royals will open the final week of the regular season on Tuesday, May 16^th at UNC Asheville. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Queens will conclude the season at the end of the week as they welcome Stetson University to the Queen City. The series will begin Thursday at 6:00 p.m. The Royals will honor their senior class on Saturday, May 20^th in the finale.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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