FLORENCE, Ala. -- The North Alabama softball team was shutout in the opening game of the day and was held to one run on five hits in the nightcap as the Lions dropped an ASUN Conference double-header to Queens University of Charlotte, 2-0 and 4-1.

Queens pitcher Autumn Courtney threw a four-hit shuout in the opener and then returned to retire all 15 batters that she faced in relief in game two to earn wins in both games.

A solo home run by Queens Kaylee DeJesus in the fifth inning of the opener was all the offense the Royals would need, but they added an insurance run in the seventh.

UNA starter Maci Birdyshaw struckout six of the first seven batters and only allowed one base runner through the first four inning. She took the loss to drop to 9-6 after pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on four hits with 10 strikeouts.

In the second game, Queens' catcher Caroline Johnson hit a grand-slam home run in the third inning to out Queens up 4-0. UNA scored its run in the bottom of third but has the bases loaded with no outs and managed just one run. Mackenzie Patterson singled and eventually scored on an RBI-single by Hailey Jones. The Royals' starter Abby Craver was pulled at that point and Courtney returned to get three straight outs and end the inning. She then retired the next 12 straight Lions to end the game.

UNA starter Elena Escobar (9-4) took the loss.

The two teams meet again at noon on Sunday in the final game of the series.  The Lions will recognize the three senior members of their team in a pre-game ceremony.