BOX SCORE 1 | BOX SCORE 2 | BOX SCORE 3 TAMPA, Fla. – The Towson University softball team won two of three games to close out the Michele Smith Spring Break Tournament held at the University of South Florida this weekend. The Tigers defeated Western Michigan by a score of 7-5 and the host Bulls 3-0 on Saturday before falling to Syracuse 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
 
Tigers vs. University of South Florida

Towson (9-5) ended the University of South Florida's 16-game win streak on Saturday night, defeating the Bulls by a score of 3-0. The Tigers got their offense going early, scoring a run in the second inning and two more in the third.
 
Pitcher Missy McCormick got things going for Towson as she walked to get on base. She followed that up by successfully stealing second and advancing to third on a fielding error by the Bull's centerfielder Juli Weber. First baseman Ambar Hickman singled up the middle to score McCormick.
 
The Tigers' two runs in the third inning started with a double by centerfielder Kendyl Scott who moved to third on a groundout by designated player Hailey Balk. Shortstop Brook Miko stepped up to the plate, hitting a two-run homer to right field to bring the Tiger lead to 3-0.
 
Towson would hold on to the lead as McCormick pitched the full seven frames for the Tigers. She gave up only six hits and walked just one batter during the game. The rest of the Tiger squad used strong fielding to keep the Bulls off the scoreboard, recording two double plays.
 
The Bulls had the leadoff runner on base four times throughout the game as the Tigers shut them out for only their second time this season.
 
Miko had a team-high two RBI on the game while six Tigers registered hits, led by Balk and leftfielder Olivia Yarbrough who each had two.
 
Tigers vs. Western Michigan

The Tigers used a four run third inning to defeat Western Michigan on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 7-5. The Tigers shared the scoring wealth as six different players recorded runs during the game, led by third baseman Holiday Cahill who had two runs scored.
 
The Tigers got on the board early as centerfielder Scott hit a home run in Towson's first at-bat. Cahill scored her first run after using a single to left center to get on base. She was driven in on a double by shortstop Brook Miko in the next at-bat.
 
Western Michigan scored a single run in the top of the third as Scott committed an error that allowed right fielder Geordin Craun to get on base and later score.
 
Towson responded with four runs in the bottom of the third to bring their lead to five runs. Cahill started the action by doubling to left field and advancing to third on a single to right field by Miko. Miko successfully stole second to get in scoring position before left fielder McCormick hit a double that brought Cahill and Miko both home. McCormick used her speed to score when catcher Caitie Barber singled to left field.
 
The Broncos added two runs in the top of the fifth as Western Michigan used singles to put runners on first and second before pitcher Hickman allowed two consecutive walks. Hickman's second walk moved the bases enough for shortstop Sabrina Gamboa to score. Another single would bring leftfielder Ivy Shaaf home.
 
Towson scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth as the Broncos walked designated player Macie McGeehan. The Tigers' Yarbrough pinch-ran for McGeehan as a single advanced her to second before she successfully stole third base. Yarbrough scored as Western Michigan's second baseman Melissa Palmer committed a throwing error after Hickman flew out to second.
 
Western Michigan attempted a two-out rally, scoring two runs in the sixth inning as Craun reached on an error by Hickman. Two more hits, a single and a double would score Craun and put Shaaf at third. Shaaf scored on a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Jenny Rohn. Hickman held strong for the Tigers as Palmer grounded out to second base to end the inning.
 
Hickman allowed five runs on eight hits and walked four batters during the full seven innings pitched. She tallied three strikeouts during the frame.
 
Erin Binkowski gave up five runs and six hits in 2.1 innings pitched before Haley Thibeault came on in relief action. Thibeault allowed only two runs and five hits during the final 3.2 frames.
 
Tigers vs. Syracuse

Towson's offense couldn't get started against Syracuse, registering only two hits as the Tigers fell 3-0. Centerfielder Scott singled in the first inning for the Tigers while third baseman Cahill tried to get something going in the fourth inning with a double.
 
The Orange scored twice in the second frame as designated player Sydney O'Hara hit a two-run homer after first baseman Corrine Ozanne singled. They followed it up with one run in the third inning.
 
Syracuse's Jocelyn Cater kept the Tigers' offense at bay, striking out 15 batters and allowing only two hits and three walks in the complete game shutout.
 
McCormick pitched all seven innings for the Tigers, striking out 10 batters and giving up three runs on four hits and two walks.
 
The Tigers will remain in Florida to play a doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast University on Wednesday, March 18, starting at 4 p.m.