CONWAY, S.C. – In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, "It was déjà vu all over again" for the Towson University softball team.
 
For the second time in three days, Towson edged Youngstown State in an extra inning affair. This time, the Tigers captured a dramatic 6-5 decision in eight innings that capped a dynamite rally from a three-run deficit.
 
Holiday Cahill provided the perfect ending for Towson with a one-out single that scored Kendyl Scott with the decisive run touching off a celebratory scene at home plate.
 
The Tigers ended the Coastal Carolina Kickin' Chicken Classic the same way it started by besting Youngstown State. This one was memorable as Towson showcased its tenacity, grit, heart, teamwork and fighting spirit to make sure it enjoyed a happy bus ride home.
 
Quotable
Cahill on her team's performance today.
"I think this day says a lot about our team. Our setbacks can't hold us down and they must lift us to the top. Not every game is going to go how we want it, but as a team today, I believed all 22 of us played in an important role in our win."
 
How It Happened

• Towson overcame a pair of deficits to improve its overall record to 2-3.
• Cahill, Brook Miko, Nicole Stockinger and Shelby Stracher had two hits each to lead Towson's 10-hit barrage.
• Daria Edwards was active as she walked and scored twice, including crossing the plate with the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
• Olivia Baltazar's drew a one-out bases loaded walk that scored Edwards.
• The tenacious Tigers got hits in the bottom of the seventh inning from Miko, Stracher and Stockinger to extend the game.
• Towson rallied from a 5-2 deficit to force extra innings by scoring single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
• The Tigers survived Sarah Dowd's grand slam in the top of the fifth inning that put them in a 5-2 hole.
• Towson started chipping away at its deficit.
• Miko delivered a RBI triple to score Cahill in the bottom of the fifth to bring Towson within, 5-3.
• Stracher and Baltazar opened the sixth inning with consecutive singles.
• The work paid off as Scott delivered a sacrifice fly RBI that scored Jaclyn Mounie, who pinch ran for Stracher. That pulled Towson to within, 5-4, setting the stage for the fantastic finish.
• Towson scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning to grab a 2-1 lead.
• Julia Smith-Harrington tossed three scoreless innings in relief to earn the victory.
• She allowed one hit and finished with four strikeouts.
• The biggest strikeout occurred in the top of eighth inning with one out and a Youngstown State runner on third base of a tie game.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Towson is 2-0 in extra innings this season.
• Cahill has two multi-hit games this season.
• Miko has a home run and triple in two of Towson's last three games.
• Cahill leads Towson with a .467 batting average through five games.
• Stockinger is hitting .400 for the Tigers.
• Smith-Harrington retired nine of the 10 batters she faced.
• Smith-Harrington struck out two batters in the seventh inning after allowing her only hit.

 
Last Word
Cahill on what made the difference for Towson after the grand slam.
"It came from the dugout. After the grand slam, we didn't shut down. We got louder and believed in one another. We were defensively sound and we knew we had to pick Megan (Dejter) up. Julia came in a clutch situation and got us out of it."
 
Up Next
Towson returns to action on Friday, Feb. 17 when it meets Georgetown (11 a.m.) and Colgate (3 p.m.) as part of the USC-Upstate Classic. The Tigers beat Georgetown three times last year.