WILMINGTON, N.C. — ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year Autumn Courtney whipped in nine strikeouts in a tough 1-0 loss to UNC Wilmington on Thursday evening in the UNCW Tournament opener.
After a three-up, three down first inning from both squads, Lindsey DeRoeck smacked the first hit of the day in the top of the second inning with a single to left field. Despite the jolt of momentum for the Royals, Seahawks pitcher Kara Hammock retired the side to give UNCW the bats.
In the bottom of the second, Courtney struck out Mackenzie Amodeo to kick off the frame. UNCW tallied their first hit with a one-out double to right-center from Morgan Britt. Mary Sobataka swung in another double to trade places with Britt, giving the Seahawks the 1-0 advantage. Gaining another baserunner with a walk, the Seahawks were soon halted as Courtney hummed in another strikeout and Lauryn Richardson fouled out to Madison Cantoni behind the plate.
Queens led off the top of the third gaining a baserunner in Kaylee DeJesus after a UNCW error. DeJesus reached second in a 4-3 putout, but was called out due to interference in a fielder's choice play off a hit from Kayla Smith. Kasidi Staley would ground out to the pitcher to retire the side.
In the bottom of the third, UNCW found no room to capitalize as the Royals held them to two groundouts and a strikeout. The Royals were held to a pop fly and two Ks heading into the top of the fourth.
The Seahawks would find another hit from Britt in the fourth and gain another baserunner from a hit-by-pitch. Courtney buckled down and got Queens out of the jam with a side-ending strikeout, her sixth of the day.
UNCW would hold their one-run lead to the finish, only acquiring one more hit in the last two innings. Courtney would strikeout three more Seahawks in the last two frames.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- DeRoeck went 1-2 on the day to lead the Royals with a single, giving Queens their lone hit of the night.
- In the field, Cantoni finished with 10 putouts from behind the dish.
- Courtney tallied nine strikeouts from the circle in six innings of work.
- The Royals committed no errors in the field against UNCW, while UNCW tabbed one.
- Hammock took the win for the Seahawks with seven strikeouts and allowing only one hit in seven innings.
WORDS FROM HEAD COACH KELLA GOINS
"We felt really good going into today," said Head Coach Kella Goins. "Things didn't go our way which happens, but we will be back at it again tomorrow."
UP NEXT
Up next, The Royals are back at it bright and early tomorrow morning as they take on NKU in a doubleheader starting at 9:30 AM EST.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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