HARRISONBURG, Va. – Holiday Cahill is hotter than a charcoal grill.
 
With clouds of fragrant barbeque smoke perfuming the air, the white-hot Towson University junior first baseman continued her home run hitting binge by belting a first-pitch first-inning grand slam to cap a huge five-run frame.
 
Cahill's fifth homer in her last four games along with Ambar Hickman's solid effort in the circle, helped No. 2 seed Towson defeat No. 3 seed College of Charleston, 7-3, in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament game at Veterans Memorial Park Wednesday afternoon. Towson also terminated Charleston's five-game winning streak.
 
"When I walked up to the plate, I had butterflies and I was shaking," Cahill said. "When I got in the box, I just cleared my mind. I knew (Charleston pitcher Samantha Martin) was going to come (near her hitting zone). She'd been coming first pitch to all my teammates and I stepped in there ready to go. My teammates were getting on base and making good contact. Luckily, I was able to put a good swing on the ball."
 
Team Records
Towson improved to 36-15 while Charleston dropped to 33-22.
 
How It Happened

• After falling behind 2-0 following a pair of Charleston unearned runs in the top of the first inning, the Tigers immediately responded.
• The Tigers had their first five batters reach base in the bottom of the first inning.
• Brook Miko ended a nine-pitch at-bat with a RBI single to bring the Tigers to within, 2-1.
• Cahill hit the first pitch she saw over the left field fence for her third grand slam of the season.
• Cahill's blast gave Towson the lead for good, 5-2.
• Miko, who had two hits, added to Towson's lead with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second inning.
• Kendyl Scott walked three times and scored twice for Towson in the first two innings.
• Shelby Stracher also scored two runs for the Tigers.
• Nicole Stockinger contributed a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning for a 7-2 Towson lead.
• Hickman retired eight straight batters from the first through fourth innings.
• In finishing with three strikeouts, Hickman had four perfect innings.
• Charleston was led by Jordan Jones, who had two hits.
• Sara Garcia hit a home run for the Cougars in the sixth inning to cut the Tigers lead to 7-3.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson has hit at least home run in 35 games.
• The Tigers have hit a home run in seven straight games.
• Towson is 2-0 all-time against Charleston in the CAA Tournament.
• The Tigers improved to 13-0 this season on neutral fields.
• This was the fourth time and second consecutive game in which Towson scored at least five runs in the first inning.
• With 105 RBIs, Cahill surpassed Julie Cappelli and moved into sixth place all-time in that category.
• Cahill has driven in at least four runs in a single game six times.
• Cahill's third grand slam this season was her 28th career home run.
• Miko has 11 multi-RBI games.
• Miko extended her hitting streak to seven straight games.
• Miko has 29 RBIs since April 1.
• Olivia Yarbrough has reached base in 12 consecutive games.
• Hickman improved her record to 15-5 and lowered her ERA to 2.54.
• Hickman threw her eighth consecutive complete game.
• Towson has scored 56 first inning runs.
• In eight of their last 11 victories, the Tigers have trailed at some point.

 
On Deck
Towson advances to meet the winner of the Delaware-James Madison game on Thursday at 12 p.m. Check back to www.towsontigers.com for opponent information and a complete game preview later this evening.
 
CAA Championship Update
All games of the 2016 CAA Softball Championship will be broadcast for free and live on CAA.tv. Visit the Softball Championship Central page for live stats, box scores, recaps, video highlights and much more throughout the week in Harrisonburg. Be sure to follow the CAA on Twitter (@CAASports), Instagram (@CAASports) and snapchat (caasports) and utilize the hashtag, #CAAChamps, for up-to-date and behind the scenes coverage.