FLORENCE, S.C. – The Chowan Softball team battled back but ultimately fell to Queens in the opening game of the Patriots Invitational hosted by Francis Marion on Friday afternoon.

THE BASICS

FINAL | Chowan 6, Queens 7

RECORDS | Chowan 3-4, Queens 8-2

LOCATION | Florence, S.C.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Beth Walker and Lindsey Stigler recorded two hits each. Walker and Stigler recorded a RBI each.

Brittany Parson tallied a hit with two RBI in the loss.   Shannon Buchanan tallied a RBI double.

Shelby Griffis took the tough loss pitching 4.1 innings in relief allowing three runs (two earned).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Queens opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning scoring two runs off one hit and an error.

Chowan trimmed the deficit in the top of the second inning as Beth Walker singled to left to start the rally.  After a ground out, Shannon Buchanan hit a ground-rule double to bring home Walker for the first run of the game for the Hawks.

The Royals countered with two more runs in the bottom of the second as the command of pitches went astray as Queens reached base four times via the free pass.

The Hawks knotted the contest up at 4-all in the top of the third inning posting three runs off five hits and two errors.  Mackenzie Taggart reached on an error before Haley Cooper and Kris Neal recorded base hits.  Lindsey Stigler and Beth Walker tallied RBI singles to score Taggart, Cooper and Neal.

In the bottom of the third inning, Queens added a run on an error and a double.  The Royals tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-4 advantage.

Chowan tied the contest in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a two run home run by Brittany Parson.  Beth Walker drew a full-count walk prior to the long ball.

Two hits in the bottom of the sixth inning allowed Queens to regain the lead, 7-6, and hold off Chowan's comeback attempt.

UP NEXT

Chowan returns to the field on Saturday, February 17, as the Hawks face Mercy at 11am and host Francis Marion at 1pm.