RICHMOND, Ky. – The Towson University softball team will be playing for a championship after unfurling a rally to remember to defeat Eastern Kentucky, 4-3, in the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) winners bracket game at Gertrude Hood Field Friday afternoon.
 
The Tigers showcased grit, resilience, tenacity, and toughness in scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a hard-earned and memorable triumph.
 
Brook Miko's two-strike RBI single scored Riley Thies with the winning run. It was Miko's NCAA-leading 75th RBI of this magical season. Once Thies crossed home plate, there was a rush of adrenaline, pure energy and a flood of delirious joy.
 
The Tigers advance to Saturday's regional championship game against either EKU or Toledo beginning at noon.
 
Records
Towson                      42-17
Eastern Kentucky       41-19
 
Milestone Alert

• Kendyl Scott set the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) single-season record for hits (87) with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first inning and a one-out single in the third inning.

 
Quotable
Scott on the victory and what it means to play for a regional championship.
"We never give up no matter the score, so we were confident entering the seventh inning even though we were behind. We're going out there and playing the game that we all love. It's a huge deal playing for a regional championship. I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunity and I am glad I get to do it with this team. This is a team to remember and I am glad I get the chance to do this my senior year."
 
Wilson on her game-tying hit in the seventh inning
"I was trying to lay the bunt down to move the runners, but that didn't work out the way I had hoped. Then I was going to try and slap and move the runners and then I saw the outfield had come in. Then, I was like well let me try and hit it over their heads, get a hit and score some runs. It's such a blessing to be able to play with this team longer. This team is filled with great girls and I am really thankful to be able to play with them."
 
How It Happened

• Towson's first four hitters reached base in the seventh inning.
• After Scott walked, Thies, Wilson, and Miko all had hits.
• Miko had her fifth three-hit game of the season along with a pair of stolen bases.
• Two of Miko's hits produced RBIs.
• Scott had two hits for her 30th multi-hit game of the season.
• Madison Wilson walked twice, contributed a game-tying RBI single in the seventh inning, stole a base, and scored on Miko's two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.
• Daria Edwards had a RBI single in the fourth inning that scored Miko.
• Eastern Kentucky took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a RBI double from Paige Murphy and a single from Hannah Clark.
• Clark led off the sixth inning with a home run that gave EKU a 3-2 advantage.
• Thies threw out a runner attempting to steal to end the third inning.
• With the bases loaded in the third inning, the Tigers hit into an unfortunate inning-ending double play on a dropped foul ball negating their first run of the game.

 
Inside the Numbers

• The Tigers improved to 8-5 in one-run games.
• Three of Towson's last four wins have been decided by one run.
• This was Towson's second win this season when trailing after six innings.
• Miko has four hits and three RBIs in two games in this tournament.
• Towson improved to 2-0 against the Ohio Valley Conference.
• The Tigers improved to 9-2 on Friday's this season.
• Wilson has reached base in five straight games.
• Dejter tossed her 75th career complete game.
• This was Dejter's 57th career victory and the 24th of the season.