CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a show-stopping, perfect game for Queens ace pitcher Autumn Courtney, the Royals came through and shut the door on the North Florida Ospreys in a 2-0 win in the series finale on Saturday, March 30.
FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 2, North Florida 0
Records: North Florida 23-10, 7-2 ASUN | Queens 15-16, 2-7 ASUN
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (The Stick)
Autumn Courtney stepped into the circle for the third time in two days to take the start for the Royals in game three of the series — and she definitely made her presence known. The sophomore slinger from Tappahannock, Va. finished her day with 10 strikeouts and allowed zero hits or walks in seven innings pitched, tabbing her first perfect game of her career.
The Royals made an offensive jump in the sixth inning, as Abby Craver's at-bat resulted in two runs — Kayla Smith stole third early during her plate appearance and Ashlyn Mickler was able to sneak home after a failed pickoff attempt, and a fielder's choice RBI scored Smith to give the Royals the 2-0 lead.
In their last chance at the plate, the Ospreys would fly out all three at-bats to solidify the first series win of the season for the Royals.
BALLPARK BULLETS
- Ashlyn Mickler went two-for-two at the plate, including a walk to lead the Royals.
- This game marks the first perfect game in the Division I era for the softball program, and the first for Autumn Courtney's career.
- This also marks the first perfect game for the Royals in over 10 years.
REMARKS FROM QUEENS SOFTBALL COACHING STAFF & AUTUMN COURTNEY
"We definitely played with a chip on our shoulders," Head Coach Kella Goins said. "We wanted to prove people wrong, and I think this team did that today. I told them it was going to take every single one of them to get the job done today and we were able to get it done."
"This was a huge team win for us," Courtney said after her historic day. "Everyone contributed and everyone did their job. Dugout was huge, defense was huge, and everything went right for us today. I am happy and proud for all of us."
"Anytime you have someone in the circle who is able to contain an offense like that, we know she is like no other," Pitching Coach Sierra Vanzant-Cheek said. "Today we wanted to keep the pitch count low and execute our game plan. "Tom" (nicknamed by her coaches and teammates) is one of a kind … she is a competitor, she found her confidence and owned it today."
UP NEXT
Up next, the Royals finish off the series against North Florida on Saturday, March 30 at 12 PM at the Stick.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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