FIRST PITCH
Score: High Point 21 | Queens 7
Records: High Point (8-1 overall, 0-0 Big South) | Queens (2-6 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: Williard Stadium (High Point, N.C.)
 
The Short Story:
In a Tuesday night non-conference tilt at High Point, senior Nick Alderfer delivered an incredible day at the plate going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run in the 21-7 loss to the Panthers. The Panthers used an explosive 11-run second inning to take control of the game early and cruise to the midweek victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-After being retired in the first inning, High Point erupted in the bottom of the second inning with 11 runs on nine hits and one Queens error. The scoring was highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Caleb Hammond and a three-run blast off the bat of Justin Ruiz.
-With a lot of baseball left to play, junior Anibal Rivera chipped away at the deficit in the top of the third blasting his second home run of the season with an opposite field solo shot.
-Queens continued to battle plating a pair in the top of the fourth inning. Nick Alderfer started the rally with a leadoff double to right center before an error by the Panthers third baseman put runners on the corners. Lenox Lively would drive in the first run by reaching on a fielder's choice. Another fielder's choice gave the Panthers two outs, but Will Budnick wouldn't let the home team escape ripping a single to right field and putting runners on the corners. Catcher Matthew Suppa laced a shot at the second baseman which was misplayed allowing the second run to score and cut the deficit to 11-3.
-The Royals continued to inch closer putting together a timely two-out rally in the fifth inning. Nick Alderfer got it going with a two-out double down the left field line for his second double of the day. Junior Justin Hudson followed it up with a two-run blast to left center to cut the deficit to 13-5.
-The Panthers responded in the bottom half of the fifth inning as a leadoff single led to a two-run home run from Landen Johnson to extend their lead back to 10. The power bat is tied for eighth in the country in home runs this season.
-Trailing 16-5 heading into the seventh, the Royals kept their comeback hopes alive as Jake Barbour led off the inning with a single to center field. Senior Nick Alderfer followed it up with a two-run shot to right field for his second home run of the season to cut the deficit to 16-7.
-High Point would tack on five runs on one hit and a Queens error in the bottom of the eighth to take a 21-7 lead into the top of the ninth inning. The Panthers capitalized on four free passes in the inning.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Senior Nick Alderfer led the Royals offense with a 3-for-4 game, including three extra-base hits. The Charlotte native ripped a pair of doubles and a home run totaling two RBIs and three runs scored.
-Newcomer Justin Hudson blasted his fourth home run of the season as he leads the team in blasts.
-Sophomore Jake Barbour extended his on-base streak to eight straight games with a 2-for-5 day. The Raleigh native leads the offense this season with a .419 batting average and 1.184 slugging percentage.
-Anibal Rivera turned in a 1-for-4 game, including his second home run of the season.
-Senior Will Budnick stayed hot at the plate going 1-for-4 as he rides a four-game hitting streak.
-Caleb Stewart rounded out the offense with a 1-for-3 day.
-Senior right-hander Andrew White was dominant out of the bullpen throwing 2.0 innings and striking out five.
-Freshman Matthew Eagen made his third collegiate appearance and struck out three Panthers across a scoreless inning of relief.

NEXT UP
Queens will set their sights on a big weekend as the Royals are set to host West Virginia for a four-game series. Game one will get underway at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis at 6:30 p.m. with game two following on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Fans can purchase their tickets in advance by visiting the Queens Athletics website.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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