HARRISONBURG, Va.  – One of the greatest years in the history of the Towson University softball program concluded with an 8-0 setback to top-seeded James Madison University in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship contest Friday at Veterans Memorial Park before an overflow crowd.
 
The Tigers' tremendous triumvirate of Kendyl Scott, Brook Miko and Ambar Hickman were named to the All-CAA Tournament team. In addition to Hickman, the loss concluded the careers of Olivia Yarbrough, who set the all-time program record for runs scored and finished with over 200 hits, Caitie Barber and Courtney Johnson.
 
"It was a really good season for us," Hickman said. "I am so confident that the team will come back next year and be even greater. This is a great step in the right direction for this program, and it was so enjoyable to be part of this team. I had so much fun and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
 
Years from now when members of this special softball team gather for reunions, look through scrapbooks and share stories, they will be proud of all of their accomplishments during an unforgettable season of highlights, records, rallies and magical moments.
 
Every player contributed something special to the Tiger recipe of success this season. The Tigers' terrific and record-setting season concluded with a 37-17 overall record. Once the hurt subsides and tears dry, the Tigers will be able to reflect on a sensational season for the history books.
 
Towson displayed a lodestone of pride throughout a fantastic year. In addition, the Tigers showed tremendous resilience while battling through adversity, pain, exhaustion, strains, sprains and fractures. With velvet grace, Towson was relentless and indefatigable as they battled the opposition with inspired, unstoppable fury.
 
While it's always easy to focus on the final game of a season, the 2016 Towson University softball team will not be defined by its fifth setback to JMU of the season. Although the Tigers fell short on the scoreboard, they had nothing to be ashamed of as they exceeded expectations of others while raising the bar of excellence for future generations of Towson softball student-athletes.
 
While running through gauntlets of energetic high fives, engaging in celebratory hugs and treating fans to several shining moments, Towson set five single-season team records, won 37 games and advanced to the CAA title game for the sixth time in program history.
 
Towson established single-season program records for home runs, runs scored, walks, doubles and total bases. In addition, five players who helped Towson enjoy numerous memorable moments were recognized with All-CAA honors.
 
The Tigers played hard and with passion as bone-deep as a brisk January night throughout the season. They had fun with each other during a thrilling ride through the season that featured four different winning streaks of at least five games.
 
"Every day I was expecting a laugh being around this team," Hickman said of her team. "I wouldn't leave the field without a laugh. It was great to be around them. If I was having a bad day, I knew for a fact my mood and attitude would change. They are great people and they just lift you up. I was really blessed to have them as my teammates."
 
 
How It Happened

• Nicole Stockinger led off the bottom of the third inning with a hit for the Tigers.
• She advanced to second base on Courtney Johnson's nice sacrifice bunt.
• Kendyl Scott had a two-out walk in the sixth inning.
• James Madison turned four third-inning hits into three runs.
• Kendyl Scott registered her 14th outfield assist of the season and second in as many days by throwing out a James Madison runner at home plate in the fifth inning.
• CAA Player of the Year and CAA Tournament MOP Jailyn Ford struck out 11 batters in registering her 13th complete game of the season.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson tied the 2008 team for the second-most single-season wins in program history with 37.
• This was Towson's 13th season in program history with at least 30 victories.
• Towson hit a program-record 70 home runs.
• The Tigers finished 11th nationally in home runs per game.
• Towson set two more single-season program records with 83 doubles and 172 walks.
• The doubles standard erased the previous mark of 82 set by the 2004 team.
• The Tigers tied the single-season program record for stolen bases with 71.
• Towson finished a perfect 14-0 on neutral fields this season.
• Four players finished with at least 10 home runs (Shelby Stracher – 15, Holiday Cahill – 12, Brook Miko – 11 and Daria Edwards -- 10).

• Those same four players had a game in which they all drove in at least five runs.
• Cahill earned USA Softball National Player of the Week honors after setting a single-game program record with three homers and seven RBIs against Delaware on May 1.
• Stracher set single-season team records with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs and 49 runs scored.