FIRST PITCH
Score: Queens 9 | South Carolina 8
Records: Queens (4-4 overall, 0-0 ASUN) | South Carolina (6-3 overall, 0-0 SEC)
Location: Founders Park (Columbia, S.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY
Facing a fierce South Carolina squad out of the SEC for the fourth straight year in Columbia, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team shocked the college baseball world by taking down the Gamecocks 9-8 in the biggest win in program history. The Queens offense supplied starting pitcher Adrian Quezada with six runs within three innings as the right-hander held the Gamecocks in check for 6.0 solid innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens jumped on the board first, plating three runs on four hits and capitalizing on two errors in the top of the second inning. Karter Wong got the rally started with a one-out single to right field before Grayson Childers worked a seven pitch walk. Charlie Marcantel advanced Wong to third with a flyout to right-center, and Logan Norris capitalized with a two-strike single to center field to drive in a pair of Royals. After Norris swiped second, Dylan Schaefer followed it up with an RBI single to right center to cap off the big inning.
-The Gamecocks answered right back in the bottom of the second inning as Beau Hollins delivered a two-out RBI single through the right side to cut the deficit to 3-1. Queens starter Adrian Quezada limited further damage with a strikeout to end the inning.
-Queens responded in the top of the third inning, taking advantage of a new South Carolina arm with three runs on three hits. Jaxon Keeling greeted the new arm with a leadoff single down the left field line before Anibal Rivera dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Keeling into scoring position. Karter Wong worked a walk, and Grayson Childers stepped in and blasted a three-run home run to center field, extending the Royals lead to 6-1.
-The Royals added on a run in the top of the sixth inning, but the Gamecocks answered back in the bottom of the seventh inning with a run of their own.
-Heading down the final stretch, Queens got a key insurance run in the top of the eighth inning. Dylan Schaefer led off the inning with a walk before Mitchell Basterrechea dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Schaefer into scoring position. The Gamecocks picked up a critical strikeout, but Thomas Mathay wouldn't let the Gamecocks escape as he laced a single up the middle to bring around Schaefer and give Queens a 9-4 cushion.
-The insurance run proved to be pivotal as South Carolina broke through with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the ninth inning. Holding a 9-8 lead with two outs, Queens reliever Jake Young executed a 1-2 pitch, and Will Craddock swung over the top as the Royals held off the Gamecocks comeback and clinched their first-ever win over a Power 5 program.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Queens starter Adrian Quezada picked up his first win of the season with 6.0 quality innings of work. The Bronx, New York native surrendered three runs on eight hits and struck out four Gamecocks.
-Mitchell Basterrechea led the offense with a 2-for-2 performance, including his second home run of the season.
-Thomas Mathay logged his first multi-hit game of the season with a 2-for-5 evening, including an RBI and a run scored.
-Newcomer Grayson Childers blasted his first home run of the season, which drove in three Royals runs.
-Kendall McDowell set the tone in the top of the first with a leadoff double for his second of the season.
-Karter Wong, Charlie Marcantel, Logan Norris, and Dylan Schaefer rounded out the offense with a hit each. Wong, Norris, and Schaefer each added an RBI on the night.
-Relievers Owen Shipman and Davin Pollard combined to throw 2.0 innings of relief, allowing just one run on two hits.
-Six Gamecocks turned in multi-hit games as Tyler Bak led the way with a 3-for-5 night, including two RBI on a home run.
-A key difference in the game proved to be the Royals ability to capitalize on Gamecocks errors. The Royals plated four runs on the night on three South Carolina errors

NEXT UP
Queens will return to Charlotte as the Royals welcome Army for a three-game homestand this weekend. The series will get underway on Friday, February 27^th, at 6:00 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on the Queens Sports Network. Admission is required at the gate.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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