FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 6 | Davidson 5
Records: Queens (12-31 overall, 6-15 ASUN) | Davidson (24-18 overall, 10-4 A10)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (The Stick)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team used a patient three-run ninth inning to come from behind and defeat in-state foe Davidson which extended their winning streak to five games.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

-The Royals struck first in the bottom of the first inning with a run. Zach Weston worked a leadoff walk before JJ Sousa ripped a two-out single to shortstop. Nick Brassington was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Christian Maggio drew an RBI walk for the 1-0 lead.

-Davidson responded in the top of the second with a run on two hits. Following a leadoff walk, Jake Wilhoit laced a one-out single to left center. Tyler Douglas followed it up with an RBI single to left field to tie it back up 1-1.

-JJ Sousa would put the Royals back in front with a leadoff blast down the right field line that traveled 404 feet.

-Davidson would tie it back up in the top of the sixth capitalizing on three walks. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the Royals went to veteran reliever Daniel Bagwell who issued a 6-4-3 double play in exchange for a run. Bagwell would record a flyout to end the inning and limit the damage.

-The Royals wasted no time getting back on top plating a run on two hits in the bottom of the sixth. Andrew McDermott led off the inning with a double to right field before Nick Melton advanced him to third with a sacrifice bunt. Zach Weston worked a walk and Riley Cheek ripped an RBI single to right field giving the Royals a 3-2 lead.

-The Wildcats would capitalize in the top of the eighth on three walks and a timely swing to tie it up 3-3. A pair of walks to open the inning led to a fly out to right field which advanced the runners to third. Jake Wilhoit brought the tying run home with a sacrifice fly to left field.

-Davidson would scratch across a pair in the top of the ninth inning on a hit, error, and two walks to grab a 5-3 lead.

-The resilient Royals would not shy away from the deficit as they plated three runs on a hit and five free passes. Dillon Lewis got the rally started with a leadoff double down the left-field line. JJ Sousa worked a walk before Nick Brassington was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. The Wildcats would pick up an out, but consecutive walks to Connor Manco and Andrew McDermott would tie the game 5-5. Senior Nick Melton stepped in and took a 2-1 fastball off the back to bring home the winning run.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Royals starter Joey Ruller worked 5.0 innings surrendering six hits and two earned runs while striking out a pair. The extended outing was the rookie's longest since March 4 against Tennessee Tech.

-Five Royals, including Zach Weston, Riley Cheek, Dillon Lewis, JJ Sousa, and Andrew McDermott turned in multi-hit performances. Weston has reached base safely in six straight games while Riley Cheek has recorded 19 multi-hit games this season. JJ Sousa blasted his third home run of the season and has turned in five straight multi-hit games.

-Veteran reliever Daniel Bagwell was dominant across 3.0 innings of work allowing just one run.

-Queens scattered double-digit hits for the fifth straight game as they outhit the Wildcats 10-7.

-Both pitching staffs combined to issue 23 free passes on the evening. The Royals patient approach drew them 10 walks marking the second most on the season.

-The walk-off victory was the Royals third this season.

-Queens applied pressure early in the innings getting the leadoff man on in 8-of-9 innings.

NEXT UP
The Royals have a quick turnaround as they will head to USC Upstate tomorrow, May 3 for a non-conference game beginning at 5:00 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus. The Royals will return home over the weekend for an ASUN showdown with Eastern Kentucky University.

 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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