SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Towson University softball team began its season on Friday afternoon with a 7-3 victory over the Youngstown State Penguins at the USC Upstate Classic.

Junior pitcher Missy McCormick threw a complete game as part of the win, and also drove in two runs to support the Tiger offense.

Towson (1-0) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Nicole Delgado lined a shot into right-centerfield for a double, scoring Mickelle Oslin.

The Tigers added another run in the third inning when Oslin drew a bases loaded walk that scored Delanie Dunham and put the Tigers in front 2-0.

In the early going, that was plenty for McCormick in the circle. The junior did not allow a hit until the top of the fourth inning, when Youngstown State's Miranda Castiglione singled to centerfield.

The hit would be the start of three consecutive singles against McCormick, two of which scored runs off the bats of Haley Knight and Katie Smallcomb, tying the game at 2-2.

In the bottom half of the frame, however, the Tiger bats exploded for four runs. The offensive output was highlight by senior outfielder Maureen Hepner's two run triple down the rightfield line that scored Olivia Yarbrough and Hailey Balk. Hepner would later score in the inning when McCormick hit into a fielder's choice, giving Towson a 6-2 lead after four innings.

McCormick maintained her composure for the rest of the game, scattering six hits and giving up just three runs (one earned). She struck out four and walked two.

Casey Crozier took the loss for Youngstown State (0-1), allowing five runs, six hits and walking five batters in three innings.

Delgado, Yarbrough and Dunham all finished with two hits for the Tigers. Hepner and McCormick each drove in two runs.

Towson continues the tournament Saturday against Eastern Michigan starting at 10:30 a.m.