CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Boston University used a late two-inning surge to take the 7-6 win over the Queens Royals today in the opener of the UNC Charlotte Tournament on Friday, Feb. 16.
The Royals jumped out early over the undefeated Boston U Terriers in the first inning after Kasidi Staley singled up the middle. After Lindsey DeRoeck and Haley Hmiel each knocked another single apiece, a sacrifice fly from Brooke Piper would send Staley home to get the 1-0 advantage before the side retired.
After two straight innings shutting out Boston with Courtney at the helm, Kayla Smith led off the top of the third with a right field dinger to put the Royals up 2-0.
The Terriers finally found an outlet in the bottom of the third after scoring on a wild pitch, but that would be the only opportunity for the squad after a fielder's choice, a strikeout, and a flyout to center field would hold them off.
After a silent fourth inning from both sides, Queens kicked up the gear in the fifth inning as the squad put up three hits and two runs. Ashlyn Mickler singled down the left field line, Staley snagged another single up the middle, and DeRoeck drilled a double down the right field line to score two — giving the Royals a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the inning, Boston found a hit from Aimee Metz, but would be silenced with a runner left on base.
Queens sparked another offensive run in the top of the sixth inning after Piper started things off with a single to right. A single from Natalie Windham and a throwing error from the shortstop would put pinch runner Juhles Kelly on third before a a sacrifice fly RBI from Madison Cantoni would send her home to grab the 5-1 lead. A solid sacrifice bunt from Kaylee DeJesus brought Windham home to take a 6-1 lead before Boston was able to retire the side.
Boston took hold of their own offensive spark in the bottom of the sixth as a three-hit, three-run inning put the Terriers within two before Queens got the bats back.
With Lizzy Avery in the circle for the Terriers, she allowed a Queens hit — but was able to escape any further damage. In the bottom of the inning, a tough safe-call and a single from Keleher put runners on the corners before a fielder's choice scored a Terrier and a two-run RBI single from Avery finished off the 7-6 Terriers victory.
DeRoeck went 3-3 at the plate with two RBI while Smith snagged her first home run of the season. In the circle, Courtney put up four strikeouts, allowed six hits, and four runs in five and 2/3 innings of work. Abby Craver and Jordan Dunn combined for a strikeout and allowed two hits in a half-inning of work.
Avery took the win in the circle for the Terriers securing four strikeouts and allowing seven hits in five innings of work.
UP NEXT
Next, the Royals look to face Boston University tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM for the rematch at Daughtridge Stadium.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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