JCSU Softball Drops Two On Day One at Queens Invite

Charlotte, N.C. (Feb. 9, 2018) – The Johnson C. Smith University softball team dropped their first two games of the season, falling 17-1 to Queens and 7-2 to West Liberty on day one of the Queens Invite and Park Road Park on Friday.

In game one, Queens jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and added three more in the second inning to take a 5-0 lead.  The Royals exploded for 11 runs in the third and had one run in the fourth to lead 17-0.  JCSU was able to avoid the shutout, as senior Tia Greene (Huntersville, N.C.) led the inning off with a single and advanced to second after Tatyana Mars (Fayetteville, N.C.) walked.  The bases were then loaded after a Queens error. Greene would score after another Queens error to make it 17-1.  The Royals then forced a flyout to end the game.

Greene went 1-for-2 and scored JCSU's lone run while teammate Randasia Daniels (Shallotte, N.C.) also finished 1-for-2.

Freshman Daijaa Williams (Miami, Fla.), starting in her first collegiate game, took the pitching loss for JCSU, giving up 10 runs on eight hits while striking out three.

In game two, JCSU struck first, scoring a run in the top of the first. Leadoff batter Kaitlin Santos (Honolulu, Hawai'i) drew a walk and would later score when junior Evelyn Arguelles (Deltona, Fla.) ripped a double to the right-center gap.  JCSU would take the 1-0 lead into the fifth inning, when West Liberty exploded for seven runs.

JCSU added another run in the seventh inning in the same manner as in the first.  Santos reached on a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Sanae Nakoa (Maui, Hawai'i). Arguelles collected her second double of the game, this time down the left field line to score Santos, making it 7-2. 

West Liberty then ended the game after Tia Mahoney (Hartwell, Ga.) popped up and Arguelles was doubled up on the play, ending the game.

Arguelles led JCSU going 3-of-4 with two doubles, driving in two.  Shenice Harrison (Leland, N.C.) went 2-of-3, while Santos was 1-of-3 and scored both JCSU runs.

The losses drop JCSU to 0-2 on the season.

The Golden Bulls will finish day two of the Queens Invite, weather permitting, with a single game with both Queens and West Liberty on Saturday. 

First pitch against the Hilltoppers is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. with the second meeting with the Royals is slated for a 12:30 p.m. start at Park Road Park.