Box Score FIRST PITCH
Score: Kennesaw State 6 | Queens 5
Records: Kennesaw State (21-15 overall, 11-5 ASUN) | Queens (10-27 overall, 6-10 ASUN)
Location: Charlotte, N.C. (The Stick)
 
The Short Story: Despite a two home run night from junior 
Dillon Lewis, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped the series opener with Kennesaw State on Friday night, 6-5.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning with a clutch two-out swing from 
Tyler Cotto. Following a two-out double to the right-center gap from 
Nick Alderfer, the senior catcher roped a 2-0 pitch up the middle to bring home Alderfer for the early 1-0 lead.
-After both offenses went scoreless through the fourth, Queens added another run in the bottom of the fifth as 
Dillon Lewis blasted his 11
th home run of the season down the right field line.
-Kennesaw State answered in the top of the sixth inning with a run on two hits. Following a single and double, the Owls had runners on second and third with no outs. 
Landry Jurecka fanned the next Owl before exchanging a run for an out. A fly out to left field would end the inning as Jurecka minimized the jam.
-Queens answered the Owls in the bottom half of the sixth with three runs on two hits. 
Zach Weston got the rally started with a one-out single through the right side. Kennesaw State would get their second out before going to the bullpen. 
Dillon Lewis greeted the new arm with his second home run of the game to extend the Royals lead to 5-1.
-The visiting Owls answered the Royals three spot with a four-spot of their own. Kennesaw State opened the inning with a hit-by-pitch and a walk to start their rally. A single through the left side would load the bases before a two-run double cut the deficit to 5-3. A passed ball would follow to bring home a run before a sacrifice fly tied the game 5-5.
-Kennesaw State took their first lead in the top of the eighth inning. A leadoff double was followed by a hit-by-pitch and a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. The Royals would turn to 
Jack Renaud out of the bullpen and a walk brought home the go-ahead run for the visitors. Renaud settled in nicely and retired the next three batters to minimize the damage.
-In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Royals threatened to tie the game putting runners on the corners with two outs. A wild pitch would send 
Dillon Lewis on a full sprint home, but a close play at the plate was called out to cut down the tying run.
BY THE NUMBERS
-Junior 
Dillon Lewis led the offense with a 2-for-4 night, including his third multi-home run game of the season. The two hit night extended the Charlotte native's on-base streak to 22 straight games.
-Freshman 
Jake Barbour extended his hitting streak to eight straight games with a 2-for-4 game. The multi-hit performance was the rookies 11
th of the season as he is hitting .457 during this hitting streak.
-Veteran 
Nick Alderfer notched his fifth multi-hit game, and third straight with a 2-for-4 evening.
-Catcher 
Tyler Cotto recorded his ninth multi-hit game with a 2-for-5 night. The senior has posted a hit in seven of the last eight games.
-Senior 
Zach Weston posted his sixth multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-5 game.
-Shortstop 
Tyler Peters turned in a 1-for-3 evening at the plate as he has knocked a hit in four of the last five games.
-
Andrew McDermott extended his on-base streak to four straight games with a pair of walks.
-
Landry Jurecka picked up the no-decision in his 10
th start of the season. The right-hander finished with 6.2 innings pitched, seven hits, four earned runs, and three strikeouts.
-Right-hander 
Jack Renaud worked two scoreless innings of relief while striking out an Owl.
-The two home runs from 
Dillon Lewis marked the 64
th and 65
th of the season for Queens, a mark that is tied for the single-season program record.
 
NEXT UP
Queens and Kennesaw State will return to the diamond for a doubleheader tomorrow, April 20
th. The first pitch of game one is set for noon and game two will follow approximately 45 minutes after.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Instagram to stay up to date with Queens Baseball throughout the offseason. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics, to stay up to date with all of the Royals' Athletics.
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