CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Towson University softball team clinched a berth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament for the second consecutive year despite dropping both games of a doubleheader to the College of Charleston Cougars on Friday night by scores of 3-1 in game one and 13-3 in game two in five innings.

By virtue of James Madison defeating UNCW in both games of its doubleheader on Friday, the Tigers (27-22, 6-8 CAA), clinched the final remaining spot in the field of four teams. The tournament, which begins on Wednesday, includes the Cougars (39-14, 13-4 CAA), James Madison and Hofstra at a site yet to be determined.

In game one on Friday, Cougar pitcher Hope Klicker yielded just two hits, both from the Tigers' Hailey Balk, as the Tigers were unable to get their offense started.

The Cougars got an early run in the second inning when Mackenzie Maples hit an RBI single to put College of Charleston up by a 1-0 tally.

The game would remain at that score until the sixth inning when Maureen Hepner lined out, but brought home Olivia Yarbrough as a result to knot the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cougars took the lead for good when Katie Padilla connected for a go-ahead, two-run homer that put College of Charleston in front by the 3-1 margin.

Klicker earned her 19th victory of the season as part of the game one win.

In game two, Carly Corthell and Chandler Frisbie both went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Cougars, while Rebecca Mueller hit a solo homerun and scored three times.

The College of Charleston scored the game's first 13 runs, including eight in the fourth inning, to pull away from Towson and put game out of reach.

Towson added three runs in the top half of the fifth inning, as Jessica South scored as part of an error by the Cougars. Later in the inning, Balk and senior Delanie Dunham added RBI singles before the game was called due to the run rule.  

Towson and the Cougars conclude the series on Saturday with a single game at 1 p.m.