FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 6 | West Georgia 3
Records: Queens (4-15 overall, 2-1 ASUN) | West Georgia (9-9 overall, 1-2 ASUN)  
Location: Cole Field (Carrollton, Ga.)
 
The Short Story:
Behind a spectacular five innings of relief from southpaw Joey Ruller, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team took the three-game series rubber match from West Georgia on Saturday afternoon 6-3. Ruller controlled the back half of the game tossing 5.0 innings allowing one unearned run on just one hit while striking out seven Wolves. The series win to kickstart ASUN play marks the first time the Royals have captured their opening weekend ASUN series since joining the league in 2022.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
-After both offenses were held in check through the first two innings, Queens broke through in the top of the third inning with two runs. Tyler Peters got the inning started with a single to center field. The Wolves would retire the next two Royals, but Anibal Rivera wouldn't let the leadoff single go to waste as he blasted a two-run homer to center field.
-West Georgia would respond in the bottom half of the third inning. Following a one-out walk, Carter Dierdorf doubled to left field to put a pair in scoring position. A fielder's choice would plate the Wolves first run and split the deficit in half at 2-1.
-In the fourth, West Georgia got a solo blast from Tyler Presnell to right field which tied the game up 2-2.
-After being held scoreless for three straight frames, the Royals would get back on the board in the top of the seventh inning with a three-run inning. The Royals capitalized on back-to-back free passes as Justin Hudson flared an RBI double down the left field line bringing home Will Budnick. Sophomore Jake Barbour would follow it up with a two-out RBI single to drive in two more runs and extend the lead to 5-2.
-West Georgia chipped away at the deficit in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cooper Prince led off the frame with a single through the left side and advanced to second on a back pick attempt from Tyler Peters in left field. Prince swiped third and scored after an errant throw by the Royals catcher. Joey Ruller settled back in and struck out the next three Wolves looking.
-Queens managed to add a key insurance run in the top of the ninth capitalizing on a Wolves mistake. With the bases loaded and two outs, a balk brought home Tyler Peters to give the Royals a 6-3 lead.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Joey Ruller slammed the door shut on the Wolves retiring the last six batters in order. The Charlotte native surrendered just one hit, the least amount of hits given up by a Royals pitcher this season over a minimum of 5.0 innings.
-Jack Renaud and Derek Westfall set the tone on the bump throwing a combined 4.0 innings to start the game while allowing just two runs on four hits. Renaud made his second start of the weekend and punched out a pair of Wolves.
-Junior Anibal Rivera blasted his team-leading fifth home run, and second of the week as a part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate. The shortstop also worked a walk and a pair of hit-by-pitches.
-First baseman Will Budnick stayed hot at the plate going 2-for-4 with his fourth double of the season.
-Junior Justin Hudson delivered his third multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-5 performance, including an RBI double.
-Infielder Jake Barbour slid down in the lineup and provided timely swings going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
-Tyler Peters made his 10^th start of the season and turned in a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored.
-Charlie Marcantel and Matthew Suppa rounded out the offense with a hit on the day.
-The Royals offense was clicking all afternoon spraying 12 hits on the day while the pitching staff held the Wolves to five hits.

NEXT UP
Queens will have the week off before returning to action next weekend at The Stick against North Florida. The series will get underway on Friday, March 21^st at 6:00 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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