SHIRLEY, N.Y. - In sunny Tuesday afternoon conditions, the Queens College softball team (12-22, 9-15 ECC) split an East Coast Conference doubleheader with the Dowling College Golden Lions (12-28, 6-18 ECC) at Golden Lions Field. QC lost game one 3-0 before bouncing back to take game two 10-4 to conclude their road slate for the 2016 season. The Knights drew their season series 2-2 against the Golden Lions.

GAME ONE:
The Golden Lions scored the game's only runs in the bottom of the third, taking 3-0 lead against Knights starter sophomore ToniMarie Valeriano (6-10). The Knights were shut out for the seventh time this season despite getting four hits. However, they were unable to make further inroads against Dowling starter Vanessa Juengeres (10-10) who struck out 10 Knights to pick up the win.

GAME TWO:
The Knights broke out in game two after being shut out in game one. Junior Kayla Morrissey singled up the middle to score Valeriano to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. Junior Stevianne Ognibene blasted her second home run of the season to extend the Knights lead further to 4-0 after the first inning. Junior Kristen Boody increased the lead further with a two run home run to center field. Freshmen Nicole Michaels reached first base to allow Morrissey to score on the off throw. On the next play Michaels stole second to allow classmate Maryjane D'Aostino to score on another off throw.

The following inning, sophomore Victoria Carlo singled to center field to plate Junior Kylie Spillet. D'Aostino got walked to score Boody to give the Knights a 10-2 lead after four innings. Knights pitcher Morgan Starley (4-3) picked up the win by limiting the Golden Lions to four runs. Juengeres (10-11) was unable to repeat her game one heroics as she took the loss as pitched two innings while allowing four runs on four hits.

UP NEXT: The Knights return home Saturday for an ECC doubleheader against St. Thomas Aquinas (14-27, 7-17 ECC) with game one slated for 12:00 pm.