OPENING PITCH
Scores: Queens 1, FGCU 2 | Queens 3, FGCU 5
Records: Queens (12-31, 4-16 ASUN) | FGCU (18-29, 12-8 ASUN)
Location: FGCU Softball Complex (Fort Myers, Fla.)

THE SHORT STORY
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team dropped both games of Saturday's ASUN Conference doubleheader at FGCU, falling 2-1 in walk-off fashion in game one before coming up short in a 5-3 decision in game two. The Royals battled throughout the afternoon, including a three-run rally in game two to erase an early deficit, but FGCU capitalized on late scoring opportunities to secure the sweep.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One: FGCU 2, Queens 1: Queens broke through first in the fourth inning when Olivia Thornton reached base and advanced into scoring position before Shayna Suttles delivered an RBI triple down the right field line to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.

FGCU responded in the bottom half of the inning with a sacrifice fly to even the score at 1-1. The game remained tied into the seventh inning as Addison Kluck kept the Eagles off balance in the circle, limiting scoring chances and keeping Queens in position to win.

In the bottom of the seventh, FGCU put together a two-out rally that ended with a walk-off RBI single to seal the 2-1 victory. Suttles led the Royals offensively with a triple and RBI, while Thornton scored the lone Queens run.

Game Two: FGCU 5, Queens 3: FGCU built an early lead in game two, scoring once in the second inning and adding two more runs in the fourth to move ahead 3-0.

Queens answered in the fifth inning with its biggest offensive surge of the day. Madison Cantoni and Caylin Herring opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Sage Farmer drove in the Royals' first run with an RBI double to left center. Later in the inning, Lauren Byrd delivered a two-RBI single to score two more runs and tie the game at 3-3.

The tie was short-lived as FGCU regained the lead in the sixth inning with a two-run triple to move back in front, 5-3. Queens collected nine hits in the contest and threatened late but was unable to plate additional runs in the final inning.

Farmer and Herring each recorded two hits to lead the Royals at the plate, while Byrd drove in two runs during the three-run fifth inning.

NOTABLES

• Shayna Suttles recorded an RBI triple in game one for Queens' only run.
• Addison Kluck tossed 6.2 innings in game one, allowing just two earned runs.
• Queens recorded nine hits in game two, including multi-hit performances from Sage Farmer and Caylin Herring.
• Lauren Byrd drove in two runs in game two to highlight the Royals' three-run fifth inning rally.

UP NEXT
Queens concludes the series against FGCU tomorrow, April 26, with first pitch scheduled for 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.