OPENING PITCH
Scores: Florida Gulf Coast 7, Queens 1 (8 inn.) | Florida Gulf Coast 13, Queens 7
Records: Queens (6-15, 0-2 ASUN) | FGCU (8-17, 2-0 ASUN)
Location: The Stick (Charlotte, N.C.)

THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team dropped both games of its ASUN-opening doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday at The Stick. The Eagles pulled away for a 7-1 extra-inning win in the opener before holding off a late Royals rally to take the second game, 13-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Queens struck first in the second inning when Lindsay Henson singled and advanced around the bases before Caylin Herring lifted a sacrifice fly to bring her home and give the Royals a 1-0 lead.

Florida Gulf Coast answered in the fourth inning when Parris Wiggs delivered an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.

Both teams threatened throughout the middle innings, but strong pitching and defensive plays kept the score locked heading into extras.

In the eighth inning, FGCU broke the game open with six runs. Ally Thompson highlighted the rally with a three-run triple before the Eagles added insurance runs later in the frame to secure the 7-1 victory.

Queens recorded seven hits in the contest, with Lindsay Henson leading the way with three.

Game 2
FGCU opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run before Queens responded in the bottom half. Olivia Thornton doubled to drive in Lauren Byrd before Lindsay Henson followed with an RBI double to give the Royals a 2-1 lead.

The Eagles regained momentum in the second inning, plating two runs to take a 3-2 advantage.

Queens tied the game in the third inning when Shayna Suttles delivered an RBI single to bring home Sage Farmer.

FGCU then broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning to move ahead 8-3.

The Royals answered in the fifth inning with three runs. Quinn Thompson drew a bases-loaded walk to score a run before Byrd and Thornton each drew bases-loaded walks to bring home runs.

FGCU responded with four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run, before adding another run in the seventh to secure the 13-7 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Lindsay Henson led Queens in the opener with three hits.
• Olivia Thornton recorded two hits and three RBIs in game two.
• Dani Stewart finished the second game with two hits, including a double.
• Lauren Byrd reached base four times in game two with a hit and three walks.
• Queens totaled 16 hits across the doubleheader.

UP NEXT
Queens finishes off the series with a single game on Sunday, March 15 at noon.

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.