Box Score FIRST PITCH
Score: Tennessee Tech 3 | Queens 2
Records: Tennessee Tech 10-5 | Queens 4-12
Location: Bush Stadium (Cookeville, Tenn.)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped the series finale at Tennessee Tech on Sunday afternoon despite a pitching duel from both staffs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens jumped on the board first in the top of the third inning with a run on two hits and one Golden Eagles error. Evan Zapp led off the inning with a single to the pitcher before Matthew Corlew dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Zapp to second base. Jake Barbour would reach first on a throwing error by the second baseman putting runners on the corners. Tennessee Tech would get a strikeout, but JJ Sousa would come through with an RBI single through the right side to plate Zapp for the first run.
-After being held scoreless through the first three innings, Tennessee Tech would plate two runs on three hits and one Royals error. The error proved costly for Queens as the bases were loaded and two outs.
-The visiting Royals would tie it up in the top of the sixth as they capitalized on defensive miscues from the Golden Eagles. Tyler Cotto led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch before Zach Weston reached on a fielder's choice. On the play, Cotto advanced to second on a throwing error. The miscue set up a Queens sacrifice bunt to put the runners in scoring position before a wild pitch brought home Cotto to tie the game.
-In the bottom of the ninth inning, Troy Baunsgard ripped a one-out double to left center before advancing to third on a groundout. With two away, the Golden Eagles would plate the game-winner on a single to center field to secure the sweep.

BY THE NUMBERS
-JJ Sousa led the offense with a 2-for-4 day, including an RBI. The multi-hit performance was the fourth on the year for the senior outfielder.
-Junior Dillon Lewis tallied the other multi-hit day with a 2-for-4 afternoon. The Charlotte native has a team-high eight multi-hit performances this season as he increased his season average to .371.
-Tyler Peters, Will Budnick, and Evan Zapp added a base hit on the day. Peters has reached safely in three of the last four games and Budnick has reached in four of the last five outings.
-Senior catcher Tyler Cotto extended his on-base streak to six straight games with a pair of walks. The Arizona native has reached safely in 14-of-16 games this season.
-Queens starter Joey Ruller twirled 5.0 innings allowing just four hits, two unearned runs, and struck out three.
-Relievers Isaiah Bennett and Jack Renaud combined to throw 3.2 innings while allowing a run, five walks, and three strikeouts.
-On the day, Queens issued 10 walks on the mound. Despite the free passes, the Royals executed pitches when they needed to as the Golden Eagles stranded 10 baserunners and hit .077 with runners in scoring position.

NEXT UP
The Royals will return to Charlotte for a four-game swing beginning Tuesday night. Queens will face off against Appalachian State at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis at 6:30. Following the midweek action, Queens will welcome North Florida over the weekend for their first ASUN series of the season.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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