FIRST PITCH (GAME 1)
Score: Lehigh 6 | Queens 2
Records: Queens 3-7 | Lehigh 5-3
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Richard "Stick" Williams Dream Fields)
 
The Short Story:  Despite a season-high 10 strikeouts from Landry Jurecka, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped the series opener to Lehigh by a final score of 6-2.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-The visiting Mountain Hawks were the first to threaten in the top of the second inning as they loaded the bases with no outs. Queens starter Landry Jurecka would retire the next three batters in order via strikeouts to halt the early scoring opportunity.
-Lehigh would strike first in the top of the fifth inning with _ runs on _ hits. Owen Walewander would open the frame with a single to left field before advancing to second on a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner 90 feet before a double down the left field line brought across the first run. Rafe Perich would follow it up with an RBI single to left center extending the lead to 2-0.
-After being shut down for five innings, Zach Weston cut into the deficit with his second blast of the season. The graduate student ripped a 2-2 pitch down the right field line.
-The Mountain Hawks wasted no time responding plating two in the top of the seventh behind a two-run shot to right center from Rafe Perich.
-Lehigh would manufacture a pair in the top of the ninth behind three singles to extend their lead to 6-1.
-Queens would cut into the lead in the final frame as Dillon Lewis belted his third homer of the year. The leadoff blast was all the Royals could get as the Mountain Hawks shut the door for the 6-2 win.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Sophomore right-hander Landry Jurecka was dominant on the mound tossing 6.2 innings striking out a season-high 10 batters.
-Dillon Lewis extended his hitting streak to eight straight games with a 2-for-4 game.
-Graduate student Zach Weston belted his second homer of the season in game one.
-Nick Alderfer rounded out the offense with a 1-for-4 day, including a single in the second inning.
-Isaiah Bennett turned in a clutch 1.1 innings in relief allowing just one hit.
-The Royals bats were held to just four hits on the game after averaging nearly 8.0 coming into the series.
 
FIRST PITCH (GAME 2)
Score: Lehigh 4 | Queens 1
Records: Lehigh 6-3 | Queens 3-8
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (Richard "Stick" Williams Dream Fields)
 
The Short Story: Freshman Evan Zapp turned in his first career multi-hit performance with a 2-for-3 evening despite the Royals 4-1 loss in game two.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Lehigh would strike first in the top of the first inning behind two singles. Jake Whitlinger led off the inning with an infield single before swiping second base. Rafe Perich would bring Whitlinger home with an RBI single to left center on a 3-2 pitch.
-The lead wouldn't last long as Queens answered with a run on three hits. Jake Barbour led off the inning with a single to right field and then stole second. Tyler Cotto would rip up a single up the middle bringing home Barbour to tie it 1-1.
-Lehigh tacked on two more in the top of the fifth behind three hits to regain a 3-1 advantage.
-The visitors would plate another in the top of the sixth which rounded out the scoring for the day. Andrew Kohl sent an RBI single to right field bringing home the fourth run for the Mountain Hawks. 

BY THE NUMBERS
-Rookie Evan Zapp led the Royals with a 2-for-3 night, including his first collegiate hit which was a rocket off the right field fence.
-Jake Barbour, Dillon Lewis, Tyler Cotto, and Mason Kelly rounded out the Royals offense with a hit each. The single to left field in the sixth inning from Lewis extended his hitting streak to nine straight games.
-After Derek Westfall exited the game early, junior Logan Schmitt gave the Royals valuable innings throwing 3.0 frames and allowing two runs on four hits.
-Newcomers Tanner Cullen and Jack Renaud combined to throw 4.0 scoreless innings to close out the game. The duo combined to strike out five Mountain Hawks.
-The visiting Mountain Hawks pitching staff took command of the second game only allowing six hits while striking out 12 Royals.
 
NEXT UP
The Royals and Mountain Hawks will wrap up the series tomorrow, March 3^rd at The Stick. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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