ROCK HILL, S.C. – Towson University softball returns to the Palmetto State to participate in their second tournament of the 2022 season. The Tigers will match up against Western Carolina, Ball State, Robert Morris, and Youngstown State in Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop Tournament, February 18-20.
The three-day tournament opens on Friday, February 18 at noon when the Tigers are set to face Western Carolina University (WCU) before their second match-up of the day against Ball State at 3 p.m. A Saturday doubleheader follows an earlier schedule as Towson sees Robert Morris University (RMU) at 10 a.m. and Youngstown State for a 12:30 p.m. start time. On Sunday the Tigers will take on the Catamounts for a second time, for a 10 a.m. first pitch.
The Tigers are on a five-game winning streak against the Youngstown State Penguins dating back to 2014. Last seen in 2019, the Tigers blanked the Penguins with an 8-0 victory.
Towson has only previously matched up against Ball State, Western Carolina, and Robert Morris a game each.
This is the fifth time the Towson softball team has participated in the Winthrop Tournament.
Towson's first 14 games are on the road in the Carolina's, starting last week when the Tigers participated in the Spartan Classic. The Black and Gold will head to Greensboro, N.C. for the UNCG Invitational, on February 25.
NEWCOMERS
Towson added nine new members to the roster including seven true freshmen as well as two transfers from the University of Hartford. These nine join 18 returners, including All-CAA Rookie, Makenzie Lake, and All-CAA selection,
Chloe Poulich.
REPPING THE HOME STATE
Five members of the Black and Gold hail from the Old-Line State of Maryland. These players come from the Baltimore-Metro Area, the Washington D.C. Metro Area, and the Eastern Shore.
TOWSON TOURNAMENTS
Towson will hold two tournaments at the Tiger Softball Stadium this season. The TU Demarini Invite, which will take place March 4-March 6, and the TU Tiger Clash will take place March 11-March 13.
SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS
The Catamounts return five players who have received preseason All-Conference accolades, including the 2021 Southern Conference Player of the Year in shortstop Bailey Huneycutt.
Western Carolina comes off a strong 2021 season, slotting the runner-up spot in both the regular season and the Southern Conference (SoCon) tournament.
WCU is currently 4-1 after their opening weekend at the River City Leadoff Tournament.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Ball State returns six starters to the 2022 squad including 2021 National Fastpitch Coaches Association
(NFCA) All-Great Lakes Region First Team selection senior Faith Hensley and 2021 NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team honoree Kayla Lissy. On the mound, the Cardinals return junior Deborah Jones who recorded a 3.64 earned run average (ERA) off 111.2 innings.
The Cardinals come off a 37-18 overall mark and a record-breaking 31 Mid-American Conference wins in the 2021 season.
SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
Robert Morris returns seven starters that posted a 25-19 record their first season in the Horizon League. Senior Erika Bell returns for the 2022 season after collecting three home runs, six doubles, 16 runs, and 19 RBIs in her junior campaign. On the mound, the Colonials return senior Dana Vatakis, who finished last season with a 3.33 ERA in 24 appearances including 18 starts. She completed 10 games, struck out 90, and earned a pair of shutouts.
The Colonials are currently 4-1 after opening weekend at the North Carolina A&T and Howard Round Robin Tournament.
SCOUTING THE PENGUINS
The Penguins return seven starting position players and three starting pitchers that make up the 10 key players that contributed to the 36-15 season record in 2021. These returners include fifth-year senior Elle Buffenbarger, who was the 2021 Horizon League Pitcher of the Year, and sophomore Jillian Jakse, who was Freshman of the Year.
Youngstown State welcomes the 2022 season being slotted number two in the Horizon League Preseason Poll after winning the Horizon League Championship last season.
