The Belmont Abbey softball team moved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Conference Carolinas with a doubleheader split at Queens this afternoon at Park Road Park. The Abbey dropped game one 1-0 and rallied to take game two 1-0. Queens is now 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Conference Carolinas.

"Today was a great day of softball all the way around. Both teams came ready to play," Head Coach Ellie Hanover said. "I am so incredibly proud of my girls today. They put the ball in play the first game against a very good pitcher. There weren't many hits by either team because both pitchers were fantastic. Queens had the big hit that game and sometimes that's all it takes. We made some good adjustments the second game and had much better quality at bats. It's not about how many hits you end up with as a team; it's about when you can string them together. Our defense was outstanding, Alysia threw out some runners tonight and Emily pitched the best game of her career. This was a huge win for us."

"What I am most proud about is the way my girls fought back that second game to come away with the win. That defines character."

In the opener, Royals third baseman Kaitlyn Cheek produced the only run of the contest with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the fourth. The Abbey's only threat to score came in the top of the second when Brittany Southard drew a two out walk, moved to second on an infield single by Sami Michaelis, and to third when Alysia Stewart reached on catcher's interference. The threat ended with an inning-ending strikeout.

In the seventh, Southard drew another walk and was replaced by pinch runner Carly Kensinger, but she was left stranded at first.

Chantal Dodge earned the win after allowing one hit and striking out six in a complete-game effort. She walked two batters. Michaelis was saddled with the loss after yielding one run on four hits in six innings, fanning seven. She has struck out 20 batters in the last 14 innings pitched.

In the nightcap, sophomore Emily Self worked seven scorless innings, striking out five to earn the win as the offense gave her the only run she would need in the fourth.

After a leadoff flyout, Anna Smart singled and moved to second on a groundout. She scored on a double by Kinsey McClure to put the Abbey ahead 1-0.

Self kept the Royals in check and escaped a jam in the bottom of the fourth when Queens put runners on second and third with one out, but she ended the threat with a pair of strikeouts.

In the seventh, the Royals put the tying run on second after a single and intentional walk, but Self coaxed a groundout to third to end the game.

Self allowed ten hits but walked only one as she picked up the win. Brandy Jester was charged with the loss. She gave up one run on two hits, striking out ten in seven innings.