OXFORD, Ala. – The Jacksonville softball team fell to the Queens Royals 2-1 in the First Round of the ASUN Tournament on Tuesday.

Holding onto a one-run lead in the top of the seventh inning, the Royals rallied with two outs to score their first and second runs of the game.
 
"Heartbroken with how it ended," said head coach Erica Ayers. "I'm thankful for the seniors and all they gave to the program. Being a part of the team that had the second most league wins in school history, for the returners, it's a step in the right direction. We will continue to go up from here."
Averi Harcus was the sole batter in the game to achieve a multi-hit performance, also claiming the only extra-base hit. The Bratek sisters, Allison and Madison, along with Alison Carter, were the other Dolphins to record hits on the day.
 
Jacksonville struck first in the opening inning after the Royals failed to score in the top half. Madison Bratek, returning from injury, led with a bunt single, followed by All-ASUN catcher Averi Harcus, who ripped a double to left-center, scoring the speedy Bratek from first. Despite hitting against Autumn Courtney, the nation's leader in strikeouts and the conference leader in complete games, JU was unable to score any further runs after Harcus's double.
 
Entering the seventh inning, ASUN All-Freshman team member Skylar Waggoner (6-12), who started in the circle for the Dolphins, had only surrendered three baserunners throughout the game. The Royals began the inning with a single down the left-field line. After a sacrifice bunt advanced the tying run to second, Waggoner induced the third batter to pop out to first. Queens then capitalized on a couple of hits and a walk to score its first two runs of the game. The Dolphins were unable to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, resulting in a win for Queens.
 
Waggoner concluded the game with her 13th complete game of the season, tallying six strikeouts and surrendering just two runs in the Dolphins' playoff game.
 
With the First Round of the ASUN Tournament being single elimination, the loss concludes the Dolphins' season with a 26-25 record overall and a 14-10 record in conference play. The 26-win season marks the highest total for JU in three seasons, while the 14-win conference slate ranks as the second-highest number of wins achieved by a team in JU softball program history.