FIRST PITCH
Score: Tennessee Tech 13 | Queens 8
Records: Tennessee Tech 8-5 | Queens 4-10
Location: Bush Stadium (Cookeville, Tenn.)
 
The Short Story: The Queens University of Charlotte baseball team blasted a single-game program record seven home runs in the series opener at Tennessee Tech on Friday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Tennessee Tech wasted no time jumping on the board as the home team plated six runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning. A leadoff walk led to back-to-back doubles to plate the first two runs of the game. A wild pitch advanced both runners up before an RBI single to center field extended the lead to 3-0. With two outs, the Golden Eagles blasted a two-run homer to left field before another solo shot to left center capped the scoring at 6-0.
-The Royals would answer in the following half inning as Tyler Cotto blasted a 1-2 pitch over the center field fence to cut the deficit to 6-1.
-The Golden Eagles added three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 9-1. The inning was highlighted by a Troy Baunsgard two-run double to left center before a single through the right side rounded out the scoring.
-Queens would cut the deficit further with a three-run fifth inning. Tyler Peters opened the frame with a solo shot to right-center on the field pitch. Following a Matthew Corlew walk, JJ Sousa blasted the second homer of the inning with a two-run shot to center field. Queens would continue to threaten with runners on the corners and two outs, but the Golden Eagles turned to the bullpen and escaped the inning by catching Zach Weston attempting to steal second.
-Following a scoreless sixth, Queens got back to their power as JJ Sousa and Dillon Lewis belted back-to-back homers to cut the lead to 9-6. However, the Golden Eagles managed to get one run back with a solo shot in the bottom half.
-Tennessee Tech would extend their lead with a three-run eighth inning as Preston Steele sent a three-run homer to right-center with two outs.
-The Royals came back in the top of the ninth and took advantage of their at-bats as Dillon Lewis and Tyler Cotto blasted back-to-back home runs. Zach Weston would follow it up with a double to left field, but the Golden Eagles worked an infield pop-up to secure the 13-8 win.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Tyler Cotto turned in a 2-for-5 afternoon, including a pair of home runs. The Arizona native has blasted a home run in two of the last three games.
-JJ Sousa returned to the lineup and made his presence felt with a two-home run performance. The senior leads the Royals in home runs as he has already surpassed his single-season high.
-Charlotte native Dillon Lewis stayed hot going 3-for-4 with two home runs. The junior improved his team-high batting average to .410 with seven home runs.
-Zach Weston turned in his second multi-hit performance of the year with a 2-for-5 day.
-Freshman Evan Zapp notched his second multi-hit game of the year with a 2-for-4 day.
-Tyler Peters and Matthew Corlew rounded out the offense with a hit each. Peters belted his second home run of the year.
-Monroe native Blake Efird provided 2.2 scoreless relief innings while striking out a pair.
-Queens belted a single-game program record seven home runs in the loss. In the game, there were 11 combined blasts between the two offenses.

NEXT UP
The Royals and Golden Eagles will return to the diamond for game two on Saturday, March 9^th. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EST.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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