OPENING PITCH
Scores: Stetson 5, Queens 1 | Stetson 9, Queens 8
Records: Queens (10-19) | Stetson (21-14)
Location: Patricia Wilson Field (DeLand, Fla.)
THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team dropped both ends of Saturday's doubleheader at Stetson, falling 5-1 in game one before mounting a late comeback that came up just short in a 9-8 loss in game two.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In game one, Queens broke through first in the third inning. Lilia Alpuche reached and moved into scoring position before Dani Stewart singled to put runners on the corners. Sage Farmer followed with a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Alpuche and giving the Royals a 1-0 lead.
Stetson answered in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of a Queens error to even the score at 1-1. The game remained tight until the fifth inning when the Hatters used a leadoff walk to spark a rally. Nicole Edmiaston delivered the big blow with a two-run home run, and Stetson later added a two-out, two-run single to extend the lead to 5-1. Queens was unable to respond down the stretch, managing just three hits in the contest.
Game two opened with immediate offense from the Royals. Lauren Byrd doubled to start the rally, and after Olivia Thornton reached, Lindsay Henson launched a two-run home run to left to give Queens a 2-0 advantage.
Stetson responded quickly, scoring in each of the first three innings to take a 4-2 lead before breaking the game open in the fifth. The Hatters strung together five runs on five hits, including a two-run home run, to build a 9-2 cushion.
Queens refused to go away. Shayna Suttles sparked the comeback with a solo home run in the sixth, and later in the inning Dani Stewart crushed a three-run homer to cut the deficit to 9-6.
In the seventh, Byrd worked a leadoff walk before Thornton blasted a two-run home run to center, pulling Queens within one at 9-8. The Royals brought the tying run to the plate later in the inning, but Stetson held on to secure the sweep.
IN THE CIRCLE
Lindsay Henson got the start in game one, allowing five runs over 4.1 innings, while Kooper Barnes provided 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
In game two, Addison Kluck took the start and allowed eight runs over 4.1 innings. Barnes again saw time in relief, giving up one run across 1.2 innings as the Royals tried to keep the game within reach.
AT THE PLATE
Queens totaled 13 hits across the doubleheader and showcased its power in game two with four home runs.
Lauren Byrd and Kami Diaz each recorded multi-hit performances in the nightcap, while Lindsay Henson, Shayna Suttles, Dani Stewart, and Olivia Thornton all homered. Henson's blast marked her 13th home run of the season, ranking third in the conference. Stewart's three-run shot was her first of the year, Suttles added her second home run of the season, and Thornton blasted her seventh homer of the season. Stewart led the way with three RBIs, while Henson and Thornton each drove in two runs.
UP NEXT
Queens will look to bounce back and salvage the series in Sunday's finale at Stetson.
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.
