FIRST PITCH
Score: Army 5 | Queens 2
Records: Army (5-4 overall, 0-0 Patriot) | Queens (4-7 overall, 0-0 ASUN)
Location: The Stick (Charlotte, N.C.)
 
THE SHORT STORY
Looking to salvage the three-game weekend series with a victory on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team dropped a tough 5-2 battle to Army at The Stick. Lenox Lively extended his hitting streak to four straight games as he turned in his first multi-hit performance with a 2-for-4 afternoon, including a double and two runs scored.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-Queens jumped on the Black Knights in the bottom of the second inning with one run on one hit. Lenox Lively started the inning with a double to right field before Mitchell Basterrechea wore the first pitch he saw to put a pair on base. Justin Hudson stepped in and popped up to the first baseman, which was ruled an infield fly. However, the Black Knights first baseman lost it in the sun, allowing both baserunners to advance into scoring position. The advancement proved key as Logan Norris chopped a grounder to shortstop to plate Lively for the first run of the game.
-Army answered right back in the top of the third inning with two runs on three hits. Jake Pineda and Thomas Schreck laced back-to-back one-out singles, and Chris Barr capitalized with an RBI single to left field. With runners on the corners, Barr swiped second to put a pair in scoring position, and David Duhbrul capitalized with an RBI ground out to put the visitors back ahead 2-1.
-Queens responded in the bottom of the fourth inning as Justin Hudson roped the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a two-out RBI double to tie it back up 2-2.
-Army regained the lead in the top of the sixth on a two-out RBI single through the left side to put the Black Knights back ahead 3-2.
-The Black Knights added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning on one hit and a Queens error. With runners on first and second and one out, a failed pickoff attempt at second advanced the runner up to put runners on the corners. The Black Knights turned to small ball and exchanged an out for a run with a bunt. Chris Barr wouldn't let the Royals out of the inning easily as he sent an 0-1 pitch into center field to drive in the second run of the inning and give Army a 5-2 lead.
-Queens applied pressure in the ninth as Hunter Huneycutt led off the inning with a single. Following a pitching change, Logan Norris greeted the new arm with a one-out single to center field. However, the Black Knights would close the door with two fly outs and complete the three-game weekend sweep.

BY THE NUMBERS
-Jackson Gowan got the ball for his third straight Sunday start and put together a season-high 6.1 innings of work. The junior right-hander surrendered three runs on six hits while striking out three Black Knights.
-Thomas Mathay delivered a 1-for-4 afternoon, extending his hitting streak to four straight games.
-Hunter Huneycutt, Justin Hudson, and Logan Norris rounded out the offense for the Royals with a hit each. Hudson his second double of the young season.
-Kensen Green, Owen Shipman, and Jake Young combined to throw 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
-Chris Barr and Thomas Schreck led the Black Knights offense with multi-hit games.

NEXT UP
Queens will head on the road next week for a five-game road swing against a pair of Top 25 opponents beginning on Wednesday, March 4^th at #14 N.C. State. Following the midweek tilt, the Royals will head to Athens, Georgia for a four-game series with #11 Georgia. Fans can tune into the action all week on ESPN+.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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