CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte softball team split the doubleheader against the Presbyterian Blue Hose on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Stick — with Queens taking the first game in extra innings, 1-0, while the Blue Hose finished off the second with a score of 8-5.

GAME ONE NOTABLES

• Autumn Courtney finished off the first game of the day earning a new single-game program record, swiping 15 strikeouts over Presbyterian. The 15 strikeouts also marked a new career-high for the sophomore.
• Courtney dominated in the circle, once again - only allowing three hits in the shutout.
• Kayla Smith and Madison Cantoni each snagged extra-base hits with a double and a triple, respectively.
• Cantoni's double came at just the right time in the bottom of the eighth inning. Makala Strickland would then put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runner to third, and an error on a throw in the next play would send the winning Queens runner across the plate for the 1-0 victory.

GAME TWO NOTABLES

• Queens found themselves in a hole early in the top of the second, as a single and a Queens miscue in the outfield allowed a Blue Hose runner to score. Soon, an RBI double from Katie Tucker and an RBI single from Katie Owens would give Presbyterian the 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the inning.
• In the top of the third, Presbyterian found another run from an RBI double from Fletcher.
• Queens got on the board in the bottom of the third inning from RBI singles from Piper and Abby Craver.
• Presbyterian kept swinging, and another two Blue Hose runners crossed the plate with an RBI single from Emily Yates.
• Kayla Smith roped her second home run of the year in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three runs to cut the Royals' deficit to only one run.
• In the top of the sixth, Presbyterian would find three runs off a single to right center due to a misthrow from the outfield — and would hold onto the 8-5 win.

REMARKS FROM SOPHOMORE AUTUMN COURTNEY
"This year, I have been really working on the mental reps," Courtney said postgame. "I had been really focusing on film and making sure my mind was right going into the game. We knew Presbyterian had some heavy hitters and I was just making the best out of the information I had on them and executed the plan."

UP NEXT
Up next, the Royals face the Norfolk State Spartans in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 24. First pitch is slated for 12:00 PM at the Stick.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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