BARTOW, FL – Continuing play at THE Spring Games, the Queens College softball team squared off against Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and Ashland University on Monday, turning in competitive performances in both contests.
Against Edinboro, the Knights recorded a season-best 11 hits behind multi-hit performances from junior infielder
Kadie Cain (Hauppauge, N.Y.) (2-4 AB, 2RBI, R), junior
Olivia Wanser (Westbury, N.Y.) (2-4 AB), and junior
Caylea Campbell (Murrieta, CA.) (2-4 AB). Five additional Knights added singles, with rookie catcher
Brooke Waiting (Seaford, N.Y.) (1-4 AB, RBI) and junior centerfielder
Sienna Denino (North Babylon, N.Y.) (1-3 AB, 2RBI, R) combining to drive in three runs.
Queens found itself trailing 6-0 entering the bottom of the third before the offense began to rally. Sophomore right fielder
Brigid Hood (Wantagh, N.Y.) opened the inning with a single, and after Edinboro recorded two quick outs, Hood stole second to move into scoring position. Cain then delivered an RBI single up the middle to get the Knights on the board, and Waiting followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-2 heading into the fourth.
After Campbell worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fourth, Queens answered with three runs on four hits in the home half of the inning. Campbell led off with a bunt single before the visitors recorded the first out. A fielder's choice and a throwing error put two runners on with one out, and following a flyout, Denino laced a two-RBI single. Cain followed with an RBI single to pull the Knights within one, 6-5, after four innings of play.
Edinboro took advantage of fielding miscues to add an insurance run in the fifth and limited Queens to two baserunners over the final three innings to secure a 7-5 result.
In the nightcap, the Knights battled Ashland in a tightly contested matchup as rookie right-handed pitcher
Nellie Donahue (Levittown, N.Y.) delivered an impressive outing in the circle. Donahue tossed four consecutive scoreless innings and struck out a career-best seven batters.
Queens struck first as Denino and Cain drew back-to-back walks to open the game. Waiting laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position, and Wanser brought home Denino with a sacrifice fly to right field for a 1-0 lead.
Donahue retired Ashland in order in the bottom of the first, and the Knights later threatened in the second by loading the bases but were unable to add to their lead.
Ashland evened the score in the fifth before pushing across two runs in the sixth to edge Queens, 3-1.
Next Pitch
The Knights continue their trip Wednesday with an exhibition matchup against the Czech Republic National Team (Prague) before taking on Northwood University. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics),
X (@QCKnights), Queens College Softball (@qcsoftball), and Instagram (qcknightsny), qcsoftball (@qcsoftball)
