CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A season filled with exciting firsts for Queens' softball program came to an end last weekend, as the team just fell short of qualifying for the ASUN championship. Despite not making the tournament, the Royals still had a bevy of student-athletes who played a heavy role in Queens accomplishing a 20-win season, including 10 wins in conference play. Freshman pitcher Autumn Courtney came in on a mission to make in impact on the program in her first collegiate season and did exactly that. Her efforts this season helped land her a spot on the ASUN All-Conference Second Team and on all the All-Freshman Team. 

Courtney was hot out the gate as she helped the Royals earn their first victory as a Division I institution in the team's season-opener against App State. She'd go on to win three of her first four starts which helped set the tone for the rest of the season. 

Once conference play commenced, she continued to deal at a high level. She earned one victory in both of the team's first two ASUN series against Stetson and Austin Peay. She'd step it up another notch in the following two series, winning both her starts against Bellarmine and Lipscomb, adding another victory against App State in between.

Her performance in the Bellarmine series, which included two complete games with one run and four hits total throughout the series, helped her earn ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors. One week later, she posted dominating numbers against Lipscomb and App State including three wins, 27 strikeouts and only two earned runs in that week. Her strong week helped her earn the second-consecutive ASUN Pitcher of the Week honor. 

She concluded the season winners of two in-a-row against North Alabama, helping the team earn a series victory over the Lions. 

Autumn's performance this season helped her earn many spots in Queens' single-season record-book, highlighted by being ranked fourth in strikeouts (191), eighth in wins (15), fifth in ERA (2.27) and second in shutouts (7). She's also third in opponent batting average (.218) and ninth in complete games (19). 

"Autumn had a fantastic freshman season", said head coach Kella Goins. "I'm happy to see all of her hard work paying off. There is no one more deserving."

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