SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Towson University softball team opened the 2020 season with an afternoon contest against Bucknell in the USC-Upstate tournament Friday afternoon.

The Tigers fell 9-1 after five innings inside Cyrill Stadium.

How it Happened

• The Bison took an early lead in the bottom of the first after having three runs on three hits.
• Towson had two hits in the top of the second but left two on base.
• Bucknell added five more runs in the bottom of the second and lead 8-0 after Towson subbed in Ashley Cruise to pitch for Julia Jackson.
• In the third, Julia Jackson reached base after a single to the pitcher. She advanced to second on an error but later was stranded on base after Maddison Wilson lined out to leftfield.
• Bucknell added one more run in the bottom of the fourth to give the Bison a 9-0 lead.
• In the fifth inning, Jess Swistock got a hit with a single to the leftfield. After Julia Jackson singled through the right side, Swiss scored and gave the Tigers their only run.

Inside the Numbers

• Cruise pitched three innings and had two runs on two hits. Jackson pitched one inning and had seven runs on seven hits.
• This is the first win for Bucknell in the series. The Tigers defeated the Bison in 2015 (7-2) and in 2018 (3-0).
• Both teams are now 1-1 in playing in neutral sites.

Up Next
Towson continues day two of the USC-Upstate tournament with games against host USC-Upstate and Marshall. The first game is slated for 3 p.m. and the second game starts at 5 p.m. All games are being played inside Cyrill Stadium.