TOWSON, Md. -- Soul singer Gina Carey has a popular quote that describes the Towson University softball team perfectly: "Strong women look challenges in the eye and gives them a wink."
 
As the Tigers prepare for their biggest test of the season by hosting 13th-ranked James Madison University in a critical Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) weekend series at the Tigers Softball Stadium, that inspirational message is appropriate. Towson is prepared, pumped, and primed for the opportunity it has this weekend.
 
Towson (13-17 overall, 2-3 CAA) and James Madison (31-6, 4-2) will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. and conclude the series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
"We are excited to embrace the challenge we have in front of us this weekend," Towson junior shortstop Brook Miko said. "It's going to be fun and I know we're going to give everything we have as a team. We understand that this a big series for us. We've prepared all fall and the season for this weekend."
 
A huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miko loves challenges. That explains why she wants to be a sports psychologist for a professional sports team one day so that she can understand the complexities of the human mind. For now, Miko keeps herself entertained and teammates amused with unique activities.
 
Last weekend in a conference room inside of the Hampton Inn in Garden City (N.Y.), Miko showcased one of her many talents following a team meal.
 
With laser-like focus and the precision of a surgeon, Miko neatly stacked five empty 16-ounce plastic water bottles on top of each other until it resembled a giant Jenga tower. The water bottles eventually fell, but not after her effort left her coaches and teammates astonished.
 
For Miko, it was a welcomed break from classes and a small glimpse into her sparkling spirit in which she likes keeping things light. Of course, the constant smile disappears into a fierce scowl when she hits the softball field.
 
Miko has grown stronger during her life through adversity. She's conquered some personal challenges that has helped her grow into the person she is now. The early difficulties also help Miko whenever things aren't going well on the softball field. All Miko needs to do is glance at her right bicep as she has "With pain comes strength" tattooed on her arm.
 
"No matter whatever pain you're going through, I know from experience that you'll become stronger because of that," Miko said. "You have to keep going and can't give up no matter what's going on in your life."
 
After a slow start to the season at the plate, Miko has heated up. She is hitting .414 over Towson's last 10 games. Miko also has a .514 on-base percentage over that span. She has 12 hits and seven walks. Miko had three hits during Wednesday's 12-4 win over Georgetown. It was Miko's first three-hit game this season and the seventh of her career.
She also homered in both games of a doubleheader against Hofstra. Four of her last seven hits have gone for extra bases. Miko's sizzling bat has helped Towson win three of its last four games. 
 
"I've been working on not trying to be as anxious at the plate no matter what the situation is," Miko said. "I've been focusing on getting on base, scoring runners and doing whatever the situation calls for it no matter what it may be. The whole team is doing that. I basically feed off what everyone else is doing in front of me because that gives the hitters a vibe. That's been helping me."
 
Extra-Extra
Towson has recorded at least one extra base hit in 14 consecutive games. Eight of its 12 hits against Georgetown went for extra bases (four doubles, one triple and three homers). The Tigers have hit nine homers over their last three games.
 
Super Scott
Junior Kendyl Scott has been a huge sparkplug at the top of Towson's lineup. She leads Towson in multi-hit games (11), runs scored (23), hits (34), RBIs (22) and total bases (55). Scott also stretched her hitting streak to five games.
 
A Look at James Madison
The reigning CAA champions, have lost at least once during its first two three-game weekend series against Hofstra and the College of Charleston. Junior right-hander Megan Good shattered her fifth JMU career record as she surpassed Jailyn Ford (82) for the program's all-time career wins record. Good improved to 83-7 over her career after JMU's 9-1 victory over Virginia. Good ranks seventh in career victories in the NCAA's Division I active leaders. Morgan Tolle enters the weekend series with an active hit streak of 16 games and an active reached base streak of 23 games.
 
Up Next
Towson concludes its six-game homestand when it hosts Norfolk State in a doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is 2 p.m.