TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University softball team begins a seven-game homestand by hosting Siena Wednesday afternoon in a doubleheader at the Tiger Softball Stadium starting at 2 p.m.
 
The Tigers will enjoy the presence of The Honorable Peter Franchot, who will throw the ceremonial first pitch and was elected Maryland's 33rd Comptroller in 2006. He was re-elected with over one million votes in 2010 and 2014.
 
Franchot will watch a Tiger squad that's 8-0 at home this season and riding a nine-game home winning streak. Overall, Towson has won nine of its last 10 games at home dating back to last season.
 
ABOUT FRANCHOT: Prior to his election to statewide office, Franchot served twenty years in the House of Delegates, representing the residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Franchot served on the House Appropriations Committee and chaired its transportation and the environment subcommittee. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for education, health care, transportation and environmental protection initiatives. As Comptroller, Franchot has been an independent voice and fiscal watchdog for the taxpayers of Maryland. He serves on the three-member Board of Public Works, which approves millions of dollars in State contracts each year. He is also the state's chief regulator of alcohol, tobacco, and motor fuels.
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR TOWSON: The Tigers lost three games over the weekend at James Madison, including a 5-4 decision in its last outing on Sunday. In the weekend series, Madison Wilson had five hits and drove in three runs. Kaylen Minnatee homered in Sunday's game against JMU. Kendyl Scott had four hits during the weekend including the 200th of her career.  
 
HOME SWEET HOME: The Tigers have outscored opponents 55-6 at home this season. Towson is hitting .368 with 26 extra base hits. Kendyl Scott leads the Tigers with a .583 batting average at home. Brook Miko and Kaylen Minnatee are hitting .500 at home. Towson's pitching has been solid at home as well as they have posted a 0.70 earned run average. Melissa Abrahamian, Julia Smith-Harrington, and Megan Dejter all have thrown one shutout at home this season.
 
NATIONALLY SPEAKING: Towson is among the top 20 nationally in five categories. The Tigers are eighth in doubles per game (1.71), 10th in scoring (6.57), 12th in batting average (.329), 13th in on-base percentage (.408), and 17th in slugging percentage (.500).
 
DYNAMITE DUO: Scott and Wilson are ranked among the top 40 in batting average, doubles, and doubles per game. Scott is 34th in batting average and Wilson is 36th with the same .448 average. Scott is ranked higher because she has fewer plate appearances. Scott is third nationally in doubles (13) and Wilson is 20th (11). Scott is also third nationally in doubles per game (0.50) and Wilson is 22nd (0.39).
 
A LOOK AT SIENA: Members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Saints have a 3-11 record before Tuesday's doubleheader at Howard. They were scheduled to play in the Mount St. Mary's tournament last weekend, but those games were cancelled. Madysen Cossack leads the team with a .364 batting average, two home runs, and nine RBI's. Also hitting over .300 are Lauren Sabihon (.360) and Jess Vollmer (.356). As a team, Siena has a .242 batting average.  Leading the Saints with a total of 21 strikeouts and a 3.50 ERA is sophomore pitcher Maddie McMahon. Brooke Hughes (3.94) and Laurene Butts (5.66, 20 strikeouts) have also seen plenty of action. The Saints have a 4.69 earned run average as a team.
 
UP NEXT: Towson hosts Delaware in a key three-game CAA weekend series. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 31 at noon. The series concludes with a single game on Sunday, April 1 at 1 p.m.