WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pitchers Shannon Johnston and Katie Lingmai combined to pitch a five-hitter as Towson University (15-7) handed George Washington University (4-13) a 2-1 non-conference loss at the Colonials' Mount Vernon Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite outhitting the Colonials by an 11-5 margin, the Tigers had to come from behind to edge the Colonials.

"We had several chances to score more runs but we couldn't get the big hit," said Towson Coach Lisa Costello. "We still aren't right offensively. Fortunately, Shannon and Katie did a great job shutting them down."

George Washington grabbed a 1-0 lead by scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning. Centerfielder Amanda Holst led off the inning by reaching base on an error by third baseman Stef Streets. Holst advanced to second base when Lauren Wilson sacrificed her to second base. The Colonials grabbed a 1-0 lead when third baseman Katie Terrazas hit an RBI single to rightfield. Johnston came back to retire the next two hitters to pitch out of the inning.

Kara Clauss shut out the Tigers through the first three innings before the Tigers broke through in the fourth. The Tigers tied the game by scoring an unearned run. Senior second baseman Mindy Bean led off the frame by reaching third base on an error by Holst, the Colonials' centerfielder. Moments later, Bean scored the tying run when catcher Courtney Wittner singled to rightfield.

In the top of the sixth, Bean started another rally as she gave Towson a 2-1 lead. She led off the inning with a double to left centerfield. She advanced to third base on a passed ball. After Wittmer grounded out, Bean scored the go-ahead run on an RBI single to rightfield by leftfielder Brianna Jones.

The Tigers had a great chance to add to their lead in the seventh inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Singles by centerfielder Erika Stasch, rightfielder Kim Lempa and Streets knocked Clauss out of the game. But, Heidi Penna came in to pitch. She retired Bean on a ground ball back to first base as Sandi Moynihan threw Stasch out on a force play at home plate. Then, Penna retired the side when Wittmer grounded out.

The Colonials tried to the game in the bottom of the seventh but Lingmai retired the first two batters. Holst kept the Colonials' hopes alive when she reached base on an error with two outs. However, Lingmai nailed down the win by getting Wilson on a fly ball to rightfield.

Johnston pitched the first three innings for the Tigers, allowing one unearned run on two hits. She walked one and had two strikeouts. Lingmai earned her fifth win of the season by pitching four shutout innings. Lingmai allowed three hits and did not walk any hitters. She struck out six.

Lempa led the Tigers' 11-hit attack by going four-for-four. Bean had two hits and scored a pair of runs while Wittner added two hits and had one RBI.

The Tigers return to action this weekend when they travel to Drexel University for a three-game Colonial Athletic Association series against the Dragons.