OPENING PITCH
Score: Queens 6 | Tennessee Tech 5
Records: Queens (1-1) | Tennessee Tech (0-6)
Location: Brinkley Stadium (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
Score: Gardner-Webb 6 | Queens 4
Records: Queens (1-2) | Gardner-Webb (4-3)
Location: Brinkley Stadium (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team split its doubleheader Thursday at the Red & Black Classic, hosted by Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs, N.C. The Royals rallied for a dramatic 6-5 walk-off win over Tennessee Tech before falling to Gardner-Webb, 6-4, in the nightcap.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME ONE vs. Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech struck first with two runs in the opening frame and extended its lead in the third inning after capitalizing on a defensive miscue and a three-run homer, taking a 5-1 advantage.
Queens chipped away in the fifth. Lindsay Henson doubled to spark the inning before Shayna Suttles delivered an RBI double. Kami Diaz followed with a two-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
After the Royals' pitching staff held Tennessee Tech scoreless over the final three innings, Queens delivered late-game heroics. Olivia Thornton opened the seventh with a single, setting the stage for Henson, who launched a two-run walk-off homer to left center to secure the 6-5 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED – GAME TWO vs. Gardner-Webb
Queens wasted no time grabbing momentum in the second game, plating three runs in the second inning. Henson opened the scoring with a solo homer before Alivia Artanis and Sage Farmer delivered RBI singles to give the Royals a 3-0 lead.
Gardner-Webb responded with a six-run third inning, using five hits — including a two-run homer — to flip the game in its favor, 6-3.
The Royals threatened throughout the final frames, collecting eight hits on the night. In the seventh, Artanis singled and later scored on a fielding error to cut the deficit to 6-4, but Queens couldn't complete the comeback.
IN THE CIRCLE
In the opener, Lindsay Henson started before Addison Kluck earned the win in relief, tossing 4.0 shutout innings with four strikeouts while allowing just two hits.
In game two, Kooper Barnes took the loss after 2.1 innings of work. Kluck provided strong relief, striking out five across 3.2 innings while allowing two earned runs.
ROYALS LEADERS
Queens totaled 12 hits in the win over Tennessee Tech, highlighted by multi-hit performances from Sage Farmer, Olivia Thornton, Lindsay Henson, and Kami Diaz. Diaz went 3-for-3 with two RBI, while Henson finished with a double and the game-winning two-run homer.
In the nightcap, Farmer and Artanis each recorded two hits, while Henson added her second home run of the day.
NOTABLES
• Henson recorded two home runs on the day, including a walk-off blast
• Queens collected 20 combined hits across the doubleheader
• Diaz went a perfect 3-for-3 in game one
• Kluck tossed 7.2 innings of relief across the two games
UP NEXT
Queens continues play at the Red & Black Classic in Boiling Springs, N.C. tomorrow, Feb. 14 against Tennessee Tech & Lehigh at 10 AM and 12:30 PM.
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.
