TAMPA, Fla. – The Towson University softball team (7-4) split its opening day of the Michele Smith Spring Break Tournament in Tampa, Florida on Friday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Central Connecticut State 4-1 before falling to Canisius 1-0.
 
The Tigers got on the board early in the game as centerfielder Kendyl Scott scored in the bottom of the first inning. Scott led off for the Tigers, doubling to right center for the first hit of the game. She advanced to third on shortstop Brook Miko's sacrifice bunt and then scored on a single by pitcher Missy McCormick.
 
The Blue Devils would tie the game in the top of the sixth inning on a solo home run by centerfielder Kat Malcolm.
 
Towson answered back in the bottom half of the inning, recording three runs for a 4-1 advantage. Scott recorded her second hit of the game with a single through the left side. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by third baseman Holiday Cahill and to third on a single by Miko. The Tigers had runners on first and third as catcher Caitie Barber homered to right field to score the final three runs for the Tigers.
 
Central Connecticut State attempted a two-out rally in the top of the seventh as catcher Hannah Cooper doubled followed by a single by second baseman Katie Schmidt. The Blue Devils had the tying run at the plate but McCormick secured the win as she got Schmidt to ground out to third.
 
McCormick (4-0) pitched her second complete game of the season for the Tigers, striking out four batters and allowing only one walk.
 
Emily Sargent (2-1) pitched all six inning for the Blue Devils, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out just one batter.
 
Scott led the Tiger effort with two hits and two runs scored. Cahill, Miko, McCormick and Barber also registered hits for the Tigers. Barber had a team-high RBI while McCormick also recorded one.
 
The Tigers struggled to get their offense going against Canisius in their second game of the day, falling 1-0 to the Golden Griffs.
 
Canisius' lone run of the game came in the top-half of the second inning when catcher Taylor Decker scored an unearned run on a fielding error by the Tigers' centerfielder Scott. '
 
The Tigers only recorded one in the outing as catcher Cahill tried to get something going for Towson in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers stranded six runners on base throughout the game as Canisius' Ericka Mackie allowed four walks.
 
Mackie (2-3) pitched a complete game for the Golden Griffs, allowing only one hit and striking out two Tigers for the win.
 
Megan Dejter (2-3) also pitched a full seven frames for the Tigers, giving up one run in seven hits and striking out six batters.