CHARLOTTE, N.C. --- The Queens University of
Charlotte softball team pitched a pair of shutouts to sweep a
Conference Carolinas doubleheader against Lees-McRae College on
Thursday afternoon.
Queens (24-22, 12-5 CC) took game one by a narrow margin of 1-0,
before defeating Lees-McRae (13-30, 4-12 CC), 4-0, in the nightcap.
The Royals posted nine hits on the afternoon, while holding the
Bobcats to five base knocks in the twin-bill.
Kristen Oakes (Lenoir, N.C.) led the way for Lees-McRae with two
hits, as Jessica Smith (Gastonia, N.C.), Amanda Leonard
(Lincolnton, N.C.), and Amanda Decker (Apex, N.C.) each recorded a
base knock. Laurel Gregg (Mars Hill, N.C.) pitched well enough to
win in game one, allowing one run on two hits and striking out five
in six innings of work. Oakes got the nod in the nightcap, allowing
four runs and striking out two in six frames.
Noemi Rodriguez paced the Royals with a 3-for-4 day, as Keeya
Turner, Amanda Meade, and Shelby O'Brien each tallied a pair of
base hits. Meade and Rodriguez each drove in two runs, as Meade
launched a home run.
Chantel Dodge took the ball in game one, tossing a one-hit
shutout while striking out 10 to earn the victory. Jessica Scott
followed with a gem in the nightcap, pitching seven shutout
innings, surrendering four hits and striking out nine.
Game One: Queens 1, Lees-McRae 0 (Box Score)
The Royals scored the only run of the game in the third inning,
taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout by O'Brien after Whitney
Britt walked and stole second to lead off the frame. Dodge would
take control of the game from the first pitch, carrying a no-hitter
into the sixth inning before Decker stroked a two-out single to
left.
Game Two: Queens 4, Lees-McRae 0 (Box Score)
Queens got on the board early in the nightcap, plating two runs
on a hit and a Bobcat miscue in the first to take an early 2-0 lead
on a two-run double by Rodriguez. The Royals would add a pair of
runs in the fourth, pushing the advantage to 4-0 after Meade
launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence.
Perhaps the Bobcats' best scoring chance came in the top of the
first, when Kim Coley (Marion, N.C.) drew a one-out walk and stole
both second and third before the Royals got out of the inning on a
ground out. Scott would allow just four base runners to reach
scoring position on the afternoon, retiring eight of the final nine
batters she faced to close out the victory.
Lees-McRae returns to the diamond on Saturday when the Bobcats
host Belmont Abbey College in conference play beginning at 2 p.m.
at the Bobcat Softball Field. The Bobcats will honor their 2012
senior class prior to the first pitch of the afternoon.
- LMC -
