ROCK HILL, S.C. - Junior Missy McCormick earned her fifth win of the season on Saturday, tossing a complete game and leading the Towson University softball team to a 3-1 victory over Winthrop on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader at Terry Field.
In the opening game of the day, Winthrop (13-13-1) defeated the Tigers (12-8), 12-5.
In game two, McCormick was excellent in the circle. She began the game by striking out three consecutive batters to end the first inning after the game's first batter singled and stole second base.
For the most part, that was as much trouble as McCormick faced. Winthrop was able to also get runners at third base in the third and fourth inning, but the junior pitched out of trouble and escaped unscathed.
The game's first run was scored in the first inning, when McCormick reached base on an error, allowing Hailey Balk to score and give Towson the early 1-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, Courtney Johnson came through with a two-run single that scored Jessica South and Maureen Hepner to increase the Tiger lead to 3-0.
The Eagles' lone run would be scored in the seventh, as Maddie Antone led off the frame with a solo homerun. However, McCormick finished the game by striking out Megan Winningham.
South and Olivia Yarbrough had two hits in the win.
In game one of the day, the Eagle offense exploded for nine runs in the second inning and putting the Tigers in an 11-0 disadvantage.
However, Towson fought back in the fifth inning, scoring four times and pulling closer to the Eagles. Balk and Hepner each had run scoring hits, while McCormick launched her Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)-leading sixth homer of the season, a two-run blast down the leftfield line.
McCormick continued her run-producing ways on Saturday in addition to displaying great poise in the circle. McCormick now has 30 runs batted in (RBI) for the season.
Last season, the Tigers had just two players reach the 30 or more RBI plateau and the team-leader in homeruns had six. McCormick has matched both those totals in just 20 games.
Towson and Winthrop will complete the series on Sunday at 10 a.m., moving the game up from 1 p.m. due to potential rainfall in the area.
