CLINTON, S.C.
– The Tigers defeated Presbyterian 7-2 in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday,
courtesy of a strong pitching performance and a pair of home runs, highlighting
the Tigers' split with the Blue Hose Saturday. Towson (14-12-1) was upended by
a 7-2 margin by Presbyterian in the opening game.
In game two, sophomore pitcher Missy McCormick was terrific in the
circle for the Tigers, improving to 5-4 this season with a complete game,
two-hitter. McCormick allowed just a first inning, two-run home run to the Blue
Hose's Erin Ruff in the first
inning, but settled in after that. She gave up just one hit over the final six
innings of the game. She struck out a season-high eight batters.
McCormick was backed by the Tiger
offense which also used the long-ball to their advantage. Freshman Ambar Hickman, making her first career
start at first base for Towson, hit a solo home run in her second career at-bat,
a long fly ball out to left field that broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Tigers a
lead they would not relinquish.
Junior Delanie Dunham also homered for the Tigers, as her three-run blast
in the sixth inning put the Tigers up by the final 7-2 winning mark. Dunham is
the team's leader in batting average (.380), runs batted in (21), slugging
percentage (.544) and stolen bases (10) this season. She is also tied for the
team lead with three homers.
She had three hits in the win, while
freshman outfielder Olivia Yarbrough
and junior Maureen Hepner each added
a pair of hits.
In the opening game, the Tigers were
kept off-balance at the plate by Blue Hose pitcher Kensley Loudermelk, who gave up just five hits in six innings to
pick up the victory.
The Presbyterian offense in game one
was carried by designated player Cat
Tarvin, who went 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run, two RBI's and two
runs scored.
However, the Tiger offense also had a
standout offensively, as Hepner connected on a deep homer to center field, her
first in a Tiger uniform. Hepner is a transfer from Radford University.
The series also enabled the sophomore
shortstop Hailey Balk to extend her hitting-streak to 11 games this season.
Towson continues its spring break
road-trip with a doubleheader at Furman at 3 p.m.
