CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens softball dropped both games of a hard-fought non-conference doubleheader against Longwood, falling 4-0 in the opener and 13-7 in a nine-inning slugfest in game two at The Stick.

The Royals were limited to just one hit in the opener, a single from Brooke Piper in the fifth inning that broke up a Longwood no-hit bid. Piper's base hit was sharply hit to right field, but Queens couldn't build on it, stranding the runner.

Kenzie Forrester started in the circle and allowed three hits over one and 2/3 innings. Abby Craver came in relief and pieced together five strikeouts over five and 1/3 innings. 

Despite a clean defensive game and strong relief pitching, Queens couldn't overcome the early deficit as Longwood used a three-run stretch across the first three innings to take control.

GAME TWO - Longwood 13, Queens 7 (9 innings)
Game two saw a back-and-forth affair that featured more offensive production from the Royals. Olivia Thornton opened up scoring for the Royals with a sacrifice fly to score Emma Frye before Longwood took the 2-1 lead in the second after an RBI single from Bridges.

Queens was able to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth after a throwing error from the catcher allowed Kaylee DeJesus to score.

After a few solid offensive innings from the Lancers, Queens trailed 7-3 entering the bottom of the seventh but rallied to score four runs and force extras. A huge, timely homer from Olivia Thornton tied the game at 7-7.

The game soon unraveled in the top of the ninth as Longwood capitalized on a defensive miscue and pushed across six runs. Queens was unable to respond in the bottom half.

Jordan Dunn started in the circle for Queens, while Forrester, Craver, Taylor Jones all contributed innings in relief.

UP NEXT
Next, the Royals will head on the road to North Florida to face the Ospreys in ASUN action beginning on April 26.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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