CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte softball team snagged another non-conference sweep on the season, this time against the Norfolk State Spartans by scores of 1-0 and 4-2 on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The first game saw Queens attack early in the bottom of the first inning with leadoff batter Kayla Smith getting on base with a single to left center. She stole second to get in scoring position before Kasidi Staley drew a walk to get on. Two wild pitches from Spartan Maddy Morris would send  Smith home to grab a 1-0 Queens advantage.

The one-run lead would hold throughout the rest of the game, as a seven-strikeout performance from Autumn Courtney combined by a no-error performance from the defense would solidify the triumph.

In game two, the Royals and the Spartans went through two and-a-half innings of no scoring before a fielder's choice and a throwing miscue from Norfolk State allowed for a run to score. Smith took advantage of the momentum as she took to the plate, and smashed a home run to right center to score two, giving the Royals a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Norfolk State found a scoring opportunity from a Royals error after two walks and a fielder's choice allowed Katie Turner to score. Craver got out of the jam, though — forcing a flyout and grabbing a strikeout to retire the side.

After two no-score innings, Norfolk State had more gas in the tank in the top of the sixth inning after an error allowed the baserunners to advance, with Gilbreath scoring to put the Spartans behind by a run. Despite the spark, Craver and the Royals shut them down to end the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, a hit-by-pitch to Brooke Piper put a Royals runner on the bases, and she soon stole second. Madison Cantoni then hit an RBI single up the middle to put their advantage at 4-2, before Norfolk State as able to sneak away without any further damage.

In Norfolk State's final at-bat, they managed one hit but weren't able to muster up a comeback. The Royals would finish off the 4-2 triumph.

Craver finished with five strikeouts to finish off game two.

Smith finished going 4-6 with two RBI and a run to lead the offense on the day.

"I feel like we finally starting to put it together today," Head Coach Kella Goins said. "We had all three parts of the game at times."

UP NEXT
Up next, the Royals stay on their home field to face Winthrop on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for a single-game starting at 5 PM.