BUIES CREEK, N.C. – The Towson University softball team earned two wins on Saturday to improve to 3-0 and wrap up the Hampton Inn Invitational, hosted by Campbell University. The Tigers defeated Youngstown State 9-2 and St. John's by a final score of 7-4 on the tournament's second day.
 
Towson pitcher Ambar Hickman threw a complete game against Youngstown State (3-1) and homered in the sixth inning to help lead the Tigers to their second victory of the season, 9-2.
 
The Tigers relied on strong offensive power early in the game, recording seven runs in the first two innings. Kendyl Scott and Olivia Yarbrough walked to get on base before advancing bases on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Brook Miko drove in Towson's first run of the game as she doubled to center field, allowing Scott to score. Caitie Barber continued the scoring as she singled through the left side, bringing Yarbrough home.
 
Youngstown State tied the game in the bottom of the second but those two runs would be the only ones the Penguins scored for the rest of the game. The Penguins' Sarah Dowd and Cali Mikovich recorded runs as Youngstown State ended the inning with two runs, two hits and three left on base.
 
The Tigers exploded for five runs in the second inning as they cycled through the entire batting order. Caroline Reid started the action off by doubling to left field to get on base before Scott singled to center field to advance her. Scott successfully stole second base to give the Tigers two runners in scoring position. Miko grabbed two RBIs as she singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw, bringing Reid and Scott home. Barber walked to get on base before Hickman drove Miko home after she singled to left field. Daria Edwards followed it up by reaching on a field error by Youngstown States' catcher Maria Lacatena to load the bases. Missy McCormick recorded two RBIs after she singled to right center and advanced on the throw, allowing Barber on third and Hickman on second base to score.
 
Towson added a run in the fourth inning as Miko recorded her second of the game. The Tigers tallied their final run of the game in the sixth when Hickman hit a solo home run to left field.
 
Hickman was impressive as she allowed only four hits in 25 at-bats and struck out four hitters. She was just as strong offensively, finishing with two runs, two hits and two RBIs.
 
The Tigers outhit Youngstown State 14-4 and had a solid defensive game, finishing the game without an error.
 
 
In the second game of the day against St. John's (2-1), Towson pitcher Megan Dejter recorded her first win of the season. The Tigers earned a 7-4 victory over the Red Storm, outhitting them 10-6 and recording only one error in the game.
 
St. John's and Towson traded runs in the game's opening frame as two errors committed by St. John's allowed Scott to get the Tigers' on the board.
 
The Red Storm recorded three runs in the second inning before Dejter came on in relief action of Olivia Baltazar, who moved to the designated player spot, with two outs to close out the frame.

Towson would battle back with runs in the next two innings to tie the game up at 4 runs apiece. Reid started things off in the third after a walk and a wild pitch moved her into scoring position. Miko flew out to center field to score Reid. In the fourth inning, McCormick hit a two-run homer to left center, scoring Baltazar.
 
A three run fifth inning would cap off the Tigers' scoring for the day and bring the score to 7-4 in Towson's favor. Miko doubled to center field before Hickman did the same, this time to left field, to bring Miko home. Baltazar singled through the left side to score Hickman and advanced to third on a double by McCormick. Courtney Johnson would score Baltazar after she singled through the right side.
 
Dejter allowed only two hits in 18 at-bats to earn her first collegiate win. She struck out four batters and did not allow a run or walk in her 5.1 innings pitched.
 
The Tigers will travel this weekend to Greenville, N.C. for the Pirate Clash Tournament, hosted by East Carolina University. Towson is scheduled to play East Tennessee State on Friday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. before playing their first game against Marshall at 12:30 p.m. On Saturday, Towson will wrap up play by facing Bucknell at 11:30 and playing their second game against Marshall at 2 p.m.