TOWSON, Md. – Towson University senior pitcher Carly DeLauder is living her dream everyday by making an impact --- and somehow performing a myriad of tasks by surviving a never-ending cycle.
 
A Baltimore native, DeLauder is currently interning as a first grade teacher at Chapel Hill Elementary School, working as a building supervisor and making meaningful contributions to the Tigers. It's an experience she enjoys.
 
The long hours, which include late-night lesson planning, early teaching sessions, and assisting with gameday setup in SECU Arena are fun for DeLauder, who has a personality that can illuminate a dark room.
 
"I wouldn't have it any other way," DeLauder said Wednesday afternoon. "I wake up everyday. Teach, come to softball practice, work, go home to sleep and repeat. I wouldn't take any of it back either. I love it. I look forward to going to school in the morning. I am with the kids all day long. They brighten my day and I love being around them."
 
While she enjoys and misses her students, DeLauder is thankful that they are on spring break this week. That gives her an opportunity to help Towson focus on its key weekend Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series against Elon at the Hunt Softball Park. The teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and conclude the series with a single game on Sunday at the same time.
 
With 12 conference games remaining, each contest takes on stronger significance for Towson (15-20 overall, 2-6 CAA). The top five teams qualify for the CAA tournament. Elon (26-14, 5-4) had its six-game winning streak ended Wednesday with a 9-0 loss to North Carolina State.
 
For DeLauder, the countdown to the conclusion of her career is on as she has four CAA weekends remaining. It's been a fun ride for DeLauder, who is double-majoring in elementary education and early childhood education. She will graduate in December.
 
"It's crazy to think that these four years have flown by," DeLauder said. "I don't want to think about it now because we have four more weekends left and the conference tournament. It's been memorable. I wouldn't take back any single day of spending time with my girls. Everyday I look forward to coming to Towson Center whether it's to pitch, lift, or spend time with my teammates. I wouldn't take back any day."
 
DeLauder is thankful for the difficult days of her freshman year when an ankle injury and sickness grounded her. She was on different medications and sporting a fashionable ankle boot. Even though, those tough times tested DeLauder's faith, she never stopped flashing her million dollar smile or getting down on herself.
 
"It was frustrating because I couldn't come to practice because I was sick and weak," DeLauder said. "There were days I thought to myself how am I going to get through this because of how hard everything was. It was a lot on my body and there were times where I didn't know if I could do this. Fortunately, my teammates, family, and support system pushed me through."
 
DeLauder, who started playing softball at the age of 7, has been able to balance the demands of being an elite Division I student-athlete and teacher thanks to the flexibility of her coaches and teachers.
 
"I feel super blessed," DeLauder said. "I wouldn't be able to do what I am doing now without being coach being flexible. My teammates, support system, parents, and Holiday (Cahill) get me through each day. I feel blessed with all of the opportunities I've been given."
 
Cahill Homer Ranks: Her 32 career home runs ranks tied for seventh all-time in CAA history. She needs five more homers to pass Hofstra's Caryn Bailey (36) in the all-time CAA record book top-five.
 
Streaking: Nicole Stockinger enters the series with a career best eight-game hitting streak … Towson has won 51 consecutive games when scoring at least seven runs … Olivia Baltazar has reached base in six straight games … Towson has won two straight games over Elon.
 
A Look At Elon: Four different players recorded a base hit for Elon during its loss to N.C. State: Callie Horn, Kara Shutt, Carey Million, and Kristin Hoover. The top hitters for the Phoenix this season have been Alaina Hall (.395), Shutt (.364), and Million (.345). Elon's top hurler is Kiandra Mitchell, who is 14-8 with a 2.31 earned run average. Keena Quinn has a 2.68 ERA. Towson won 2-of-3 from Elon last season at home. Elon is 16-6 at home this season and have won four straight CAA contests. The Phoenix handed UNCW its only conference loss this season.
 
Up Next: Towson begins a nine-game homestand with a doubleheader against Morgan State Tuesday afternoon starting at 3 p.m. The Tigers will also host Howard, Drexel and Delaware State.