HARRISONBURG, Va. – The opponent hasn't mattered lately for the Towson University softball team.
The Tigers have an extraordinary bond along with a quiet swagger that if they do the necessary things on and off the field, the positive results will continue to take care of themselves. Deficits have meant nothing to Towson, which has trailed in eight of its last 11 victories. The Tigers have rallied from a pair of four-run deficits against Villanova and Drexel as well as a late three-run deficit against UNCW.
Towson (36-15 overall) is peaking at the perfect time as it prepares to face seventh-ranked and top-seeded James Madison (44-4) in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament game Thursday at 12 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. The winner advances to Friday's CAA championship game while the loser will play an elimination game at 5 p.m. against either Delaware, Elon or the College of Charleston.
Playing with fury, unselfishness, determination and confidence, the Tigers enter Thursday's game with a four-game winning streak. Towson has averaged seven runs during that span. Towson's formidable and patient offense has been on fire lately, having homered in seven straight games.
In a season of unforgettable moments, talented, tough and tenacious Towson has gotten contributions all season long from a committee of contributors.
"Each and everyone of us can look at any situation in the game and know that we're going to be there for one another,"
Holiday Cahill said following the Tigers' 7-3 opening round victory over Charleston. "That's the best feeling. In the beginning it was kind of rough and shaky. Go back and ask all my teammates, it wasn't that comfortable feeling that we have now and that's what has got us here."
Mixing sweat and smiles, the Tigers enjoy being around one another on and off the field. They are constantly laughing during team meals, encouraging each other during tough times in games, delivering shaving cream facials to teammates who have been interviewed by the Tiger Sports Network following games and having fun while competing with unbridled passion and joy.
The connection started back in August when the Tigers returned to school. They were determined to make this season special. With 36 victories along with a host of single-season records later, Towson has made many happy memories. Towson has established single-season team record for home runs (67), runs scored (311) and total bases (694).
This is the fourth time in Towson softball history it has won at least 36 games in a single season. Towson had 36 wins in 2002, 37 triumphs in 2008 and a program best 38 victories in 2005.
"I feel we are more of a team than we have ever been," Cahill said. "I remember the run test on August 28. It was from that day forward that we had everyone's back. No matter what we did, we knew that the person next to us was going to push us and we were going to push them. When our final teammate passed the run test, we wanted to do one more. We wanted more. Not to just finish the run test and be done with it. I think moments like that is what brings us together as a team. We're not playing for ourselves, but playing for each other and our coaches."
Even head coach
Lisa Costello, who dislikes attention the way celebrities disdain the paparazzi, accomplished a major milestone earlier this season, earning her 600th victory, which speaks to her consistent excellence. She has enjoyed watching her Tigers perform this season and improve with each outing.
"I like the confidence we have," Costello said. "Nothing specific to this game today, but I just like the way we are carrying ourselves on and off the bus. We are not surprised by any success right now. We also know we're going to have to score runs because we are facing some teams here with some really good offenses. Our theme this year has been to finish."
