GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Towson University softball team heads south to Greensboro, North Carolina for a five-game match-up against the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina, Greensboro (UNCG), Bucknell University, and Loyola University Chicago for the UNCG Invitational, February 25-27.
 
The three-day tournament opens on Friday, February 25 at noon when the Tigers are set to face the University of Virginia. A Saturday doubleheader follows as Towson sees Virginia for the second time at 9:30 a.m., followed by a 2:30 p.m. first pitch against UNCG. On Sunday, the Tigers will start their day against Bucknell at 9 a.m. and end their weekend with an 11:30 a.m. start against Loyola-Chicago.
 
Last seen on March 21, 2017, the Tigers faced the Virginia Cavaliers in a doubleheader that left both teams with a victory. Historically, Towson is 4-1 against the University of Virginia. 
 
The Tigers are on a two-game winning streak against UNCG, last seen on February 15, 2020, when Towson went 7-0 for their largest margin of victory against the Spartans.
 
Bucknell recently picked up a 1-9 win over Towson in 2020, overall, Towson is 2-1 against the Bison.
 
This is the first meeting between Towson and Loyola-Chicago.
 
This weekend ends a 14 away-game streak in the Carolina's after participating in the Spartan Classic and the Winthrop Invitational Tournament the previous two weekends.
 
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, Mackenzie 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 will take place March 4-March 6, and the TU Tiger Clash will take place March 11-March 13.
 
SCOUTING THE CAVALIERS 
 
Leading in batting for the Wahoos this season are Lauren Vanassche (.343) and Tori Gilbert (.333) who have both started and played in all 10 games and earned nine runs each. So far this season, Vanassche has collected 12 hits, including 15 total bases with three doubles, three stolen bases, and an RBI. Gilbert has picked up nine hits, including 24 total bases with six doubles and three home runs while adding seven RBIs and two stolen bases. On the field, Gilbert has put out 61 players for a .984 fielding percentage.
 
In the circle, Mikayla Houge has won three games with eight appearances totaling a 2.15 ERA.
 
Virginia returns their entire 2021 starting lineup, including all their pitchers.
 
Last matching up against Sacred Heart on February 20, the Cavaliers went 8-0 in five innings against the Pioneers in Charleston, S.C. Virginia is currently 5-5 in the regular season.
 
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
 
Maycin Brown (.448) leads the Spartans in batting with 13 hits with five runs including four doubles and a home run. Brown holds a .690 slugging percentage with three RBIs. Jordan Gontram (.321) follows with nine hits and three runs off two home runs, and a double. Gontram has picked up five RBIs and notches a .571 slugging percentage so far this season. 
 
In the circle, Reese Byrd has won a pair of games with four appearances. Byrd has tallied a 1.89 ERA so far this season.
 
UNCG is currently 5-4 in the regular season.
 
SCOUTING THE BISON
 
Nicole Rivait (.320) and Chase Knapp (.280) currently lead in battling for Bucknell. Rivait has collected 12 total bases and has collected eight hits with four doubles, two RBIs, a stolen base, and a run. Knapp has picked up 12 total bases and has earned seven hits with a pair of doubles and a home run. Knapp has also collected five runs and three RBIs.
 
On the mound, Kelly Toomey has won two games with six appearances, posting a 4.63 ERA.
 
The Bison are currently 2-6 this season, picking up wins from Marist College and the University of North Carolina, Wilmington (UNCW) this past weekend in extra innings. 
 
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
 
Behind the plate, Nova Sinskul and Madison Ebeling both have earned a .357 batting average after facing the bat 14 times to add five hits and an RBI each. Sinskul has added five total bases, and four runs, while Ebeling has added seven total bases and two doubles. Haley Wallace (.333) has totaled nine bases, with five hits including a double and a home run. Wallace has also picked up five RBIs and three runs. Seeing the bat 18 times, Amelia Thomas (.278) has totaled seven bases with five hits including a triple, four runs, and an RBI.
 
The Ramblers are currently 2-3 on the season after a trip to Tallahassee, Florida for the Joanne Graf Classic, February 11-13.