GAME ONE
 
FIRST PITCH
Score: Appalachian State 14 | Queens 9
Records: Appalachian State (1-1 overall, 0-0 Sun Belt) | Queens (1-1 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Hickory, N.C. (Durham Field at Lenoir-Rhyne University)
 
The Short Story: In game one of a Sunday doubleheader, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped a slugfest against Appalachian State falling 14-9 at Durham Field on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. The series shifted down the road due to inclement weather, but both offenses weren't fazed totaling 23 combined runs on 25 total hits. Newcomers Justin Hudson and Anibal Rivera paced the offense blasting their first home runs of the season while Jacob Grimes turned in an efficient 2-for-3 game with three RBIs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Appalachian State capitalized in the first inning on three free passes when Joseph Zamora ripped a two-out single down the left field line plating a pair of Mountaineers.
-The Mountaineers would extend their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning with timely two-out hitting. After two quick flyouts, Charlie Evans got the rally started with a single through the left side before swiping second. Braxton Church followed it up with an RBI double to right center which Juan Correa followed with an RBI single through the left side.
-After being held hitless through four frames, Queens broke the streak when newcomer Justin Hudson blasted a solo shot to left field to start the fifth inning. Lenox Lively followed it up with his first career hit singling through the left side as the Royals offense was back in business. The Mountaineers would pick up a strikeout, but Caleb Stewart stepped in and ripped a 2-0 double to left center to put runners in scoring position. Will Budnick would follow with a walk to loaded the bases and sophomore Jacob Grimes delivered a clutch RBI single to right field to chase the Mountaineers starting pitcher from the game. Anibal Rivera would greet the new arm with an RBI walk, but a pop out and ground out would end the threat as Queens plated three runs in the frame.
-Appalachian State would answer in the bottom half with one run on two hits. A one-out double from John Kramer followed by a Joseph Zamore walk set up a Dillon Moquin RBI single to left field to extend the Mountaineers lead to 5-3. Queens responded in the top of the sixth when Justin Hudson belted his second home run of the game on a 1-2 pitch.
-The Mountaineers would explode in the bottom of the sixth inning with six runs on three hits. The frame was capped off by a three-run home run from Dillon Moquin extended the Appalachian State lead to 11-4.
-Queens got one back in the top of the seventh capitalizing on a Mountaineers error. Nick Alderfer delivered a one-out RBI ground out to cut into the deficit. Appalachian State would respond in the bottom half with a three spot behind a two-run blast from Kameron Miller.
-The Royals would not go away without a fight plating four runs on three hits in the top of the eighth inning. Lenox Lively and Jay Polite started the rally with a walk and hit-by-pitch. The Mountaineers would pick up a ground out and strikeout, but turned to the bullpen again and the Royals did damage. Jacob Grimes greeted the new arm with a two-run single up the middle before Anibal Rivera blasted his first home run of the season to center field to cut the deficit to 14-9.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Junior Justin Hudson found his rhythm blasting a pair of home runs to kickstart the Royals offense. The two home run game marked the Royals first multi-blast game of the season.
-Sophomore Jacob Grimes put together timely swings finishing 2-for-4 with three runs driven in.
-Newcomer Anibal Rivera continued to shine at the top of the lineup going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. The junior also worked a walk as he has reached safely in 5-of-10 plate appearances.
-Sophomore Jake Barbour turned in his second straight multi-hit performance with a 2-for-5 game, including a double.
-Freshmen Lenox Lively and Jay Polite made their first collegiate appearances. Lively earned the start behind the plate and recorded a 1-for-4 game with a walk and two runs scored. Polite entered in the fourth inning and scored a run following a hit-by-pitch.
-Caleb Stewart rounded out the offense with a 1-for-5 performance, including a double.
-On the mound, newcomer Adrian Quezada got his first career start at Queens. The junior turned in 3.2 innings and allowed four runs on six hits with a strikeout.
-Blake Efird made his first appearance of the season and kept the Mountaineers offense at bay with a scoreless inning and a strikeout.
-Seven Mountaineers turned in multi-hit performances in the game.

GAME TWO
 
FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 16 | Appalachian State 11
Records: Queens (2-1 overall, 0-0 ASUN) | Appalachian State (1-2 overall, 0-0 Sun Belt)
Location: Hickory, N.C. (Durham Field at Lenoir-Rhyne University)
 
The Short Story: Behind five multi-hit performances from the Royals explosive offense, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team secured the opening weekend series over Appalachian State with a dominant 16-11 victory. Jake Barbour and Will Budnick led the charge with three-hit games while driving in a combined eight runs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Appalachian State carried their momentum into game two plating two runs in the first inning. The Mountaineers capitalized on back-to-back one-out walks when John Kramer delivered a two-run single through the left side to put the Mountaineers ahead 2-0.
-Queens countered with a big blow in the top of the second inning scoring six runs on seven hits. The Royals loaded the bases behind infield singles from Justin Hudson, Lenox Lively, and Caleb Stewart. Sophomore Jacob Grimes delivered the first blow with a two-run double down the left-field line. Veteran Will Budnick followed that up with a two-run single to right field. The Mountaineers would pick up a strikeout, but a hit-by-pitch would put runners on first and second for Jake Barbour who delivered an RBI single up the middle. Senior Nick Alderfer capped off the big inning with a single through the right side bringing home Anibal Rivera for the 6-2 lead.
-Both offenses would exchange runs in the third inning. With two outs, Will Budnick laced an RBI double to right field scoring Caleb Stewart. The Mountaineers would answer in the bottom half of the third knocking three doubles to plate two runs and cut the deficit back to 7-4.
-In the top of the fourth inning, Anibal Rivera led off the frame with a walk. Appalachian State got back-to-back outs and looked to be escaping the inning unscathed, but Justin Hudson stepped in and blasted his third home run of the day to left field to chase the Mountaineers pitcher from the game. The Royals weren't done yet as Lenox Lively worked a four-pitch walk and Caleb Stewart followed it up with an RBI triple to left field. Jacob Grimes added on beating out an infield single which brought Stewart home to extend the Royals lead to 11-4.
-Appalachian State responded in the bottom of the fourth with three runs on two hits and two Queens errors. A walk and single got the rally started before the Mountaineers plated a pair on a Royals error. Juan Correa would stay hot with a single to center field and Tyler Figueroa plated another run on a groundout.
-Despite the Royals threatening in the top of the fifth inning, the Mountaineers escaped unscathed. Appalachian State came into the dugout and plated three more runs on three hits to cut the deficit to 11-10. Braxton Church capped off the scoring with a two-run single through the right side.
-Queens answered the Mountaineers in the top of the sixth inning when Will Budnick belted his first home run of the season. The two-run shot to right field gave the Royals insurance runs as they lead 13-10 heading to the final innings.
-The Royals added onto their lead in the seventh and eighth innings with three runs combined. In the seventh inning, Jake Barbour laced a one-out double before coming around to score on a wild pitch. The next inning, Queens plated a pair on one hit and a Mountaineers error. Jacob Grimes and Will Budnick drew consecutive walks to open the game before an error by the Mountaineers pitcher loaded the bases. Jake Barbour delivered another clutch swing with a two-run double to right center. Appalachian State would get one run back on a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Five Royals turned in multi-hit games, including Jake Barbour (3), Justin Hudson (2), Caleb Stewart (2), Jacob Grimes (2), and Will Budnick (3). Budnick matched his career-high with five RBIs while Barbour and Grimes drove in three runs each.
-Anibal Rivera, Nick Alderfer, and Lenox Lively rounded out the offense with a hit each.
-Queens belted eight extra-base hits on the night, including four doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Justin Hudson capped off his stellar day with his third home run of the weekend.
-Left-hander Kensen Green earned his first start as a Royal and tossed 4.0 innings and surrendered five earned runs on six hits while striking out five Mountaineers.
-Sophomore Jack Brooker picked up his first career win hurling 3.0 dominant innings of relief. The _ native allowed one run on two hits while striking out a pair.
-Freshman Ryan Brown made his second career appearance to close the door on the Mountaineers and fanned one Mountaineer.
-The Royals bats remained hot in the first weekend series totaling 16 hits in the rubber match. On the weekend, Queens averaged 10.0 runs on 11.7 hits per game.

NEXT UP
Queens will head back on the road on Wednesday, February 19^th for a clash in Columbia against South Carolina. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. Fans can purchase their tickets here. Following the midweek tilt, Queens will return home and prepare for their home opener against Yale next weekend.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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