FIRST PITCH
Score: Stetson 3 | Queens 2
Records: Stetson (20-13 overall, 10-2 ASUN) | Queens (4-26 overall, 2-10 ASUN)
Location: Melching Field at Conrad Park (DeLand, Fla.)
 
The Short Story:
For the second straight game, the league-leading Stetson Hatters walked off the visiting Queens Royals after another pitcher's duel between the two programs. Isaiah Barkett delivered an RBI double down the left field line to plate Juan De La Cruz in the bottom of the ninth inning for his second consecutive walk-off hit against the Royals. Despite the loss, the Royals pitching staff held the Hatters scoreless through six innings of action

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens jumped on Stetson early plating two runs on two hits in the top of the first inning. Ryan Brown led off the game reaching on an error by the Hatters first baseman. Senior Caleb Stewart followed that up with a rope up the middle to put the Royals in business. Anibal Rivera moved both runners into scoring position with a perfect sacrifice bunt and Nick Alderfer delivered the first run with a groundout. Charlotte native Will Budnick stepped in and laced a hanging changeup into right center to plate Stewart for the 2-0 lead.
-After being held scoreless through six innings, the Hatters broke through in the seventh with two runs on three hits. Jayden Hylton got the inning started before Nelphie Lopez sent a pinch hit single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Juan De La Cruz followed it up with an RBI single to shortstop. Jack Brooker would pick up consecutive fly outs and look to end the inning with the lead still in tact. However, Lorenzo Meola sent an RBI single to left center, but a great play from Tyler Peters cut down De La Cruz at third to end the inning.
-Looking for their second straight walk-off victory, Juan De La Cruz inched the Hatters closer to that with a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning. The speedster would swipe second despite Queens pitcher Joey Ruller picking off De La Cruz. With the winning run in scoring position, Isaiah Barkett delivered the big swing with an RBI double down the left field line to plate De La Cruz and secure the sweep for Stetson.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Right-hander Jack Renaud made his eighth start of the season and turned in 2.0 scoreless innings allowing no hits.
-Derek Westfall was dominant out of the bullpen throwing a season-high 3.2 scoreless innings of relief. The Wesley Chapel, Florida native surrendered just three hits while striking out three Hatters.
-In his third game back after missing time due to injury, outfielder Caleb Stewart turned in a 1-for-4 performance and scored a run for the Royals.
-Charlotte native Will Budnick stayed hot at the plate going 1-for-4 with an RBI. The senior has ripped a hit in four straight outings.
-Jacob Grimes turned in a 1-for-2 day at the plate, including a walk.
-Freshman Lenox Lively rounded out the Royals offense with a 1-for-3 day and a stolen base.
-The Queens pitching staff made pitches when they needed to as the Hatters stranded seven runners on base.

NEXT UP
Queens will return to action on Tuesday, April 8^th as the Royals travel to UNC Asheville for a non-conference tilt up the road. The first pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus. The midweek action will mark the second meeting between the Royals and Bulldogs this season. UNC Asheville came to the Queen City in mid March and took home a 15-10 victory in a slugfest.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the baseball program on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with Queens Baseball throughout the offseason. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics, to stay up to date with all of the Royals' Athletics.