OPENING PITCH
Scores: Queens 4, Gardner-Webb 3
Records: Queens (7-16) | Gardner-Webb (23-9)
Location: The Stick (Charlotte, N.C.)

THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team used a three-run fifth inning to rally past Gardner-Webb, 4-3, on Tuesday afternoon at The Stick. The Royals overcame an early deficit and held off a late push to secure the non-conference victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Gardner-Webb struck first with a solo home run in the opening inning before adding another run in the second to take a 2-0 lead. Queens responded in the bottom half of the second, capitalizing on a passed ball to plate Lindsay Henson and cut the deficit in half.

After a scoreless stretch, Gardner-Webb extended its lead to 3-1 with another solo home run in the fifth. The Royals answered immediately in the bottom of the inning, as Lilia Alpuche reached and Dani Stewart followed with a single to set the table. A wild pitch brought home the first run before Lauren Byrd delivered the biggest swing of the day - a two-run home run to center field - to give Queens a 4-3 advantage.

Queens' pitching and defense took over from there. Addison Kluck, who entered in relief, worked through the final 3.1 innings to earn the win, allowing just one run while striking out three and stranding multiple runners. Offensively, Dani Stewart and Lindsay Henson each recorded two hits to pace the Royals, while Byrd's lone hit proved decisive with her two RBI.

NOTABLES

• Queens secured its seventh win of the season with the comeback effort.
• Byrd's two-run home run in the fifth proved to be the game-winning hit.
• The Royals limited Gardner-Webb to just one run over the final two innings.

UP NEXT
Queens will host West Georgia beginning on Saturday, Mach 21.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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