OPENING PITCH
Score: Bowling Green 7 | Queens 5
Records: Bowling Green (1-0) | Queens (0-1)
Location: Pirates Stadium (Hampton, Va.)
THE SHORT STORY
Behind three home runs and a strong outing in the circle, Queens built an early advantage in its 2026 opener, but Bowling Green rallied late for a 7-5 win before weather canceled the remainder of the 1868 Classic.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Locked in a scoreless game through three, the Royals broke through with a power surge in the fourth. Lindsay Henson launched a two-run homer to center to open the scoring, and two batters later Kami Diaz followed with a two-run blast of her own, going back-to-back to quickly build a 4-0 advantage.
Bowling Green trimmed the deficit with two runs in the sixth before capitalizing on traffic in the seventh. A solo homer sparked the inning and the Falcons pieced together several hits and baserunners to plate five runs and swing in front, 7-4.
Queens answered immediately in the bottom half when Leila Susaia crushed a solo shot to left — the Royals' third homer of the day — and later put the tying run on base, but couldn't complete the comeback.
IN THE CIRCLE
Addison Kluck was sharp in her season debut, tossing 7.0 innings with seven strikeouts while allowing four hits and three earned runs, carrying a shutout into the sixth. Izzy Lawrence entered in relief during the seventh as Bowling Green mounted its rally before Kluck returned to finish the frame.
ROYALS LEADERS
All five Queens runs came via the long ball, with Henson and Diaz each driving in two and Susaia adding the late solo blast. Cantoni paced the offense with two hits as the Royals out-hit Bowling Green, 9-6.
COACH COMMENTS
"Addison [Kluck] had a great start to the season, seven strikeouts in your first outing as a freshman is exciting," Head Coach Kella Armstrong said after the game. "I'm excited for her future." As for our offense, they did everything I asked them to do. It was exciting to see them get the results after all of the work they've put in since August. Having a home run in your 4, 8, and 9 hole in the lineup is impressive. We put together a great offensive effort today."
NOTABLES
- Three home runs accounted for all five Royals runs
- Back-to-back homers by Henson and Diaz in the fourth
- Nine total hits for Queens
- Remaining games at the 1868 Classic were canceled due to weather
UP NEXT
Queens will face Tennessee Tech in the opener of the Red & White Classic in Boiling Springs, N.C. on Feb. 13.
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.
