FIRST PITCH
Score: #1 Tennessee 6 | Queens 3
Records: Tennessee (40-9 overall, 17-7 SEC) | Queens (12-37 overall, 8-16 ASUN)
Location: Knoxville, Tenn. (Lindsey Nelson Stadium)
 
The Short Story: After taking a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning against the nation's top program, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team was unable to hold onto the upset victory as the Volunteers plated four runs in the seventh inning to avoid the upset.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens jumped on the top ranked Volunteers with two runs in the first inning. The Royals loaded the bases via two walks and a hit-by-pitch to threaten early. A one-out walk from Will Budnick brought home the first run of the game before a fielder's choice from Connor Manco plated the second run of the frame.
-After being held scoreless through the first three frames, the Volunteers found the scoring column in the bottom of the fourth inning with two runs on two hits. A leadoff walk sparked the Tennessee offense as Dean Curley followed it up with a single. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners and a wild pitch brought home the first Vols run. Charlie Taylor worked a walk and Queens turned to their bullpen again as Jack Renaud entered for Logan Schmitt. The freshman was greeted with an RBI single from Christian Moore to tie the game 2-2. Renaud settled in and an impressive 3-6-3 double play from Will Budnick ended the Volunteers scoring threat.
-The visiting Royals regained the lead in the top of the sixth inning. With Tyler Cotto on second base and two outs, senior Zach Weston roped an RBI single to right field to regain the 3-2 advantage.
-Tennessee broke through in the bottom of the seventh inning plating four runs on three hits. Queens was an out away from escaping the jam, but Dylan Dreiling sent a three-run home run to right field to give the Vols their first lead of the night.
-The Royals would not go away easily as the visitors threatened in the ninth. Zach Weston led off the inning with a single before Tyler Peters and Nick Alderfer worked consecutive walks to load the bases with no outs. The Vols picked up a key strikeout before turning to their bullpen to face Dillon Lewis and Matthew Corlew. The new arm fanned both Royals and secured the win for Tennessee.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Tyler Cotto led the offense with a 2-for-4 evening, including his 10^th double of the season. The catcher added a pair of walks to his line tying Riley Cheek for the third most walks in a single season.
-Zach Weston posted his ninth multi-hit game of the season, and second straight with a 2-for-4 game.
-Tyler Peters and Andrew McDermott added a base hit on the night.
-Landry Jurecka made his first midweek start of the season and tossed 1.0 scoreless inning and struck out two Volunteers.
-Isaiah Bennett pitched 1.1 scoreless frames to close out the game. The right-hander struck out one in his second straight scoreless appearance.
-The Tennessee pitching staff struck out 16 Royals, and kept the Queens offense in check when they needed to as the Royals hit .100 with runners in scoring position.
 
NEXT UP
Queens will return to Charlotte and prepare for their final home series of the regular season. The Royals welcome Stetson University this weekend for a three-game ASUN series. The series will get underway on Friday, May 10^th at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Plus. Prior to Saturday's contest, the Royals will honor their 2024 senior class.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the baseball program on Twitter and 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.