TOWSON, Md. -- When Lisa Costello arrived at Towson University in 1994 as an assistant softball coach, she didn't expect to still be on campus over two decades later.
 
As Costello has evolved into a rock of excellence during a memorable career, she continues to transform lives, have fun and win games. It's only natural that the spotlight reluctantly finds somebody who shuns attention and credit.
 
Eventually wins and numbers will add up.
 
Costello earned her 700th career coaching victory Sunday night after Towson defeated host UNCG, 4-2, behind Julia Smith-Harrington's complete-game gem in the UNCG Spartan Classic.
 
"The milestone means a lot, but it also means that I have had an opportunity to work with a bunch of young ladies and great coaches," Costello said.
 
Costello and the Tigers will have a chance to add to that win total when they host UMBC (Tuesday, March 11) and George Washington (Wednesday, March 12) in a pair of mid-week doubleheaders at the Tiger Softball Complex. Each doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.
 
Honored as the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Coach of the Year in 2005, Costello has led the Tigers to a second place finish in the CAA five times. She has also guided Towson to 15 seasons of at least 30 wins during her career, including a school record 42 victories last season. Towson has won at least 20 games in 21 consecutive seasons.
 
Costello has guided the Tigers to five appearances in the CAA and two in the America East championship games. Overall, Towson has participated in the CAA Tournament 12 times.
 
While the wins are special, it's the players that have kept Costello moving and looking forward to each day. She loves alumnae day and always beams with pride when one of her former players excels in life.
 
"There's no specific moment that stands out to me," Costello said. "Anytime our alums return and I see the way they interact with each other and its kids that never played with each other, but they feel like they are family and that's by far my biggest win. Watching that interaction is fantastic."
 
Costello has dispensed plenty of wisdom on several generations of softball athletes during career. One of her first role models in softball was Dr. June Walker, Costello's college coach at Trenton State (now The College of New Jersey). Learning from others is one of the many messages that Costello inherited from Walker.
 
"I try to listen and learn from each group," Costello said. "I am just constantly trying to evolve. The kids teach me as much as I teach them. Each group has been so unique. I didn't expect to be here this long, but I am glad I am here."
 
Here's a look at this week's opponents:
UMBC (6-6 overall): Gillian McCarthy and Courtney Coppersmith each pitched complete-game shutouts as the UMBC Softball team closed play at the Colonial Classic with a pair of wins on Saturday. The Retrievers defeated Cornell, 10-0, in five innings and followed that with a 4-0 victory over Canisius. Sarah Pierce leads UMBC with a .405 batting average. She has five doubles. Kaly Winslow leads the Retrievers with two home runs and eight RBIs. As a team, UMBC has a .265 batting average.
 
George Washington (18-3): The Colonials have been paced by Jenna Cone, who recently GW's all-time home run leader. Last week, Cone hit .636 (14-for-22) with five homers and three doubles, good for a 1.455 slugging percentage, to help the Colonials finish a perfect 7-0. She had 17 RBIs and scored 14 runs. In addition to Cone's .443 batting average, Morgan Kummer (.484), Sierra Lange (.479) and Jessica Linquist (.446) all are hitting above .400 for GW, which has .367 team batting average.
 
Note: Parking in Lots 20, 21 and Unitas Stadium will be free.

Up Next: Towson competes in the Michelle Smith Pediatric Cancer Spring Invitational hosted by the University of South Florida this weekend. The Tigers will play Providence at 2:15 p.m. and North Dakota State at 4:45 p.m. on Friday. Towson battles Wichita State (2 p.m.) and LIU-Brooklyn (4:15 p.m.) on Saturday and Princeton (10 a.m.) on Sunday.