FIRST PITCH
Score: FGCU 6 | Queens 3
Records: FGCU (14-21 overall, 6-9 ASUN) | Queens (5-28 overall, 3-12 ASUN)
Location: The Stick (Charlotte, N.C.)
 
The Short Story:
Despite a season-high 7.0 dominant innings from Landry Jurecka, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped the series rubber match against Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday afternoon. The Royals weren't able to overcome four errors as the Eagles capitalized with five unearned runs.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Florida Gulf Coast jumped on the board first in the top of the third inning capitalizing on three Queens errors. Nathan Gagnon and Jon Embury both reached on errors by the Royals defense before a bunt from Jake Mummau loaded the bases with no outs. Jurecka got a ground ball, but another defensive miscue from the Royals plated the first run of the game and kept the bases loaded. Evan Dempsey would bring across the second Eagles run with a sacrifice fly and Robert Moya followed it up with an RBI single through the left side. The scoring wrapped up with a fielder's choice from Mac Moise as the Eagles took a 4-0 lead.
-Queens answered back in the bottom of the fourth inning with two runs on three hits. Anibal Rivera got the inning started with a walk and Justin Hudson followed it up with a single through the left side. Lenox Lively followed Hudson with an RBI single through the left side to bring home the Royals first run of the game. The Eagles would exchange a run for an out as Nick Alderfer reached on a fielder's choice, but brought home Hudson to cut the deficit to 4-2.
-The Royals inched closer in the bottom of the sixth inning as freshman Lenox Lively belted his second home run of the season to cut the deficit to 4-3.
-Queens turned to their bullpen in the top of the eighth inning and the Eagles welcomed the new arm with a run. Mac Moise worked a leadoff walk before Cayden Hessemyer singled through the left side to get the Eagles offense in business. Queens reliever Joey Ruller settled in and picked up back-to-back strikeouts, but a failed pickoff attempt allowed both runners to move up 90 feet. The miscue proved costly as Jake Mummau reached on an infield single which brought home Moise for the 5-3 lead.
-Florida Gulf Coast added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning with one run on two hits and a Queens error. Robert Moya led off the inning with a single to center field. The Eagles would bring on Jaret Nelson to pinch run and the speedster would advance all the way to third on a failed pick off attempt. FGCU capitalized on the miscue with a sacrifice fly from Mac Moise to extend the lead to 6-3.
-Queens didn't go down easily as Jay Polite sent a one-out double to left field. The Eagles would pick up the second out of the inning, but Jake Barbour beat out an infield single to put runners on the corners. After Barbour stole second, junior Anibal Rivera worked a walk to load the bases bringing up the power bat of Justin Hudson. FGCU turned to Ashton Pocol out of the bullpen who fanned Hudson to clinch the series with a 6-3 win.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Queens starter Landry Jurecka was dominant, tossing a season-high 7.0 innings and allowing four unearned runs while matching his career-high with 10 strikeouts.
-Freshman Lenox Lively turned in his third multi-hit game of the season, including his second career home run.
-Infielder Jake Barbour extended his team-best multi-hit game total to nine with a 2-for-5 performance. The Raleigh native hit .461 over the three-game series with a pair of runs scored.
-Charlotte native Jay Polite came off the bench and turned in a 2-for-2 day, including his first career double.
-Senior Nick Alderfer posted a 1-for-4 afternoon at the plate and drove in his 16^th RBI of the season.
-Freshman Ryan Brown made the start in the Royals lineup and laced his first collegiate hit.
-Justin Hudson rounded out the offense with a 1-for-5 day at the dish, including a run scored.
-Veteran lefties Anibal Rivera and Will Budnick worked the Eagles pitching staff drawing a combined five walks on the day.
-The four errors by the Royals defense marked a season-high.

NEXT UP
Queens will return to action on Tuesday, April 15^th as the Royals travel to Radford for a non-conference tilt during the week. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Following the midweek showdown, Queens will return home to welcome Stetson for a three-game weekend series.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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