RALEIGH, N.C. — The Queens University of Charlotte softball team faced a tough slate on Friday at Dail Softball Stadium, opening their doubleheader with an 11-6 loss to UNCW before falling 10-2 to Michigan. Despite a slow start against the Seahawks, the Royals' offense found its rhythm late, rallying for six runs. In the Michigan matchup, Queens held the Wolverines scoreless through three innings before a late surge put Michigan ahead. 

GAME ONE: UNCW 11, Queens 6

• UNCW exploded early for five runs in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on a combination of timely hits and a pair of defensive miscues. 
• The Seahawks extended their lead to 8-0 by the third inning, tacking on three more runs behind a two-run homer from Madison Biddle and an RBI triple by Maggie Pertee.
• The Royals responded in the bottom of the third, breaking through with a pair of runs thanks to a clutch RBI single from Caroline Johnson. Queens kept the momentum going in the frame, as a grand slam from Alexi Markle trimmed the deficit to 8-5.
• UNCW added an insurance run in the fifth and two more in the sixth, but Queens refused to back down. Another homer - this time, from Taylor Jones -  in the bottom of the sixth gave the Royals hope, cutting the score to 11-6. However, a scoreless seventh inning sealed the victory for the Seahawks.
• Despite the loss, Queens showed grit at the plate, recording six hits.

GAME TWO: Michigan 10, Queens 2

• In the second game of the day, Queens held strong against Michigan early, keeping the Wolverines off the board through the first three innings behind solid pitching from Abby Craver and solid defense.
• Michigan broke the deadlock in the fourth, plating three runs with a pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice hits. The Wolverines' offense surged again in the fifth, posting four runs highlighted by back-to-back singles at the top of the frame.
• Queens responded in the bottom of the fifth with another home run from Taylor Jones (her second of the day) to put the score at 7-2. However, Michigan tacked on three more runs across the final two innings, extending their final lead to 10-2.
• The Royals managed two hits against Michigan's pitching staff, which racked up seven strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Royals will stick in Raleigh for the second day of the "Raleigh Times" Tournament. The Royals face Michigan again at 9:30 AM before facing NC State at 2:30 PM. The NC State game will be streamed on ACCNX.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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