CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte softball team is postseason-bound for the second consecutive year, set to take on Lipscomb in the first round of the 2025 ASUN Softball Championship.
ROYALS NEWS AND NOTES
Queens (16-35, 9–15 ASUN) enters the tournament with momentum following a strong regular season finish and holds a 5–1 all-time series lead over the Bisons. The Royals defeated Lipscomb 4–1 in their most recent meeting on April 14, 2024.
Queens is powered offensively by senior Lindsey DeRoeck (.331 AVG, 3 HR, 15 RBI), freshman standout Olivia Thornton (.296 AVG, 6 HR, 26 RBI), and two-way contributor Taylor Jones (.310 AVG, 5 HR, 26 RBI). Lauren Byrd (.281 AVG) and senior Kaylee DeJesus (.287 AVG, 12 SB) bring consistent production to a lineup that's heating up at the right time. Thornton leads the team in runs, RBI, triples, and total bases, while ranking third in batting average and second in slugging percentage.
In the circle, Queens relies on veteran Abby Craver, who has tossed 98.1 innings with 59 strikeouts. Kenzie Forrester, Jordan Dunn and Jones round out a capable pitching staff that has kept the Royals competitive in tight matchups.
LAST TIME OUT
The Royals punched their postseason ticket with a dramatic series win over Jacksonville. After dropping Game 1, 6–3, despite a two-RBI single from Byrd and four strikeouts from Jones, Queens stormed back in Game 2. Thornton launched a three-run homer in the first inning and Emma Frye delivered a walk-off RBI single in the ninth to lift the Royals to a 5–4 win.
Queens closed the regular season with a statement 13–2 run-rule victory on Senior Day. Fueled by a 10-run first inning—the most runs scored in a single inning in their Division I era—the Royals dominated behind DeRoeck's five RBI performance and solid contributions from Thornton, Byrd, DeJesus, Craver, and Frye. Dunn earned the win in the circle.
SCOUTING LIPSCOMB
Lipscomb (24–29, 11–13 ASUN) is led by slugger Alyssa Hastings (.413 AVG, 23 2B, 8 HR, 40 RBI), one of the conference's most dangerous hitters. Brenna Sherman and Josey Polk add depth to a potent lineup.
In the circle, Laine Barefoot (13 wins, 3.66 ERA) anchors the pitching staff. The Bisons have issued 157 walks this season and carry a 4.79 team ERA. Defensively, Lipscomb holds a .958 fielding percentage with 61 errors.
Queens and Lipscomb square off in the opening round of the ASUN Championship on Tuesday, May 6. Fans can follow live stats and streaming links at www.queensathletics.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow the Royals softball team on Instagram and Twitter/X to stay up to date on all the latest news surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics to stay updated on all the Royals sports teams in action by searching @QueensAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
