SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Towson University softball team looked to come back on day two of the Spartan Classic but ultimately fell short in their two-game match-up against the University of Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina – Upstate. 
 
How It Happened (Game One):

• Both teams started slow until the second inning when Abby Packard of UMass tripled to right-center, bringing two girls home. 
• The Tigers started to get hot in the top of the fifth when Briana Ramirez advanced Nicole Kidwiler to second on a bunt. Mackenzie Lake continued the momentum with a single to advance both Ramirez and Kidwiler, 0-2.
• The Minutewomen looked to increase their score in the bottom of the fifth after a home run, double and single stretched their lead to 0-5.
• Although the remainder of the game was left scoreless, both Ramirez and Lake saw a hit each to round out the top of the seventh inning.

How It Happened (Game Two):

• The Tigers started slow, earning their first run in the top of the third inning. A double and a steal by Ally Hickman advanced her to third base before Ramirez singled to shortstop to bring her home, 1-3. The Spartans improved to a five-point lead to end the inning, 1-6.
• In the top of the fourth, rookie Sydni Byers homered to left-center to collect her first collegiate RBI.
• The Tigers picked up speed in the fifth inning, earning two more runs on a Rylee Penrod single. Byers then picked up her second home run on the day to tie the game 6-6.
• The Spartans began to pull away in the bottom of the fifth, picking up six hits and seven runs to end the inning.
• The Black and Gold looked to come back, earning three more hits but sadly it wasn't enough, and the game ended 6-13.

Inside the Numbers:

• Freshman Sydni Byers led the Tigers with two home runs, four hits, and three RBI's. Nicole Kidwiler, Briana Ramirez, Rylee Penrod, and Ally Hickman all had a run each.
• Ramirez had five hits while Mackenzie Lake and Hickman had three each. Paige Kostick, Penrod, and Kidwiler all had one apiece.
• Gracyn Houmis led with seven assists; Melissa Abrahamian and Lake each had three.
• Penrod picked up 12 putouts; Lake, Houmis, and Ramirez each collected five. Emma Armstrong and Madyson Peters had a pair each while Katie Capizzi, Jess DaBreo, Abrahamian, Hickman, and Kidwiler all had one apiece.

 
Next Up:

The Tigers make their way to Rock Hill, S.C. to compete in the Winthrop Tournament February 18-20.