The Games: Towson (6-12, 0-0 CAA) @ Villanova (8-14, 0-2 Big East)
When: March 16 – 1:30 p.m. (doubleheader)
Where: Villanova Softball Complex – Philadelphia, Pa.
Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Series: Villanova leads 15-8

PHILADELPHIA – The Towson University softball team will travel to the City of Brotherly Love for its first mid-week games of the season, playing a doubleheader at Villanova on Wednesday, Mar. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
 
Towson is riding a four-game winning streak, coming off victories over Monmouth 2-1 and UAlbany 7-2 on Friday in the TU Tiger Clash to stand at 6-12 overall.  Villanova, the defending Big East champion, has fallen in its last three, including a pair of league games to Butler 3-1 and 6-0 on Friday, to be 8-14 overall and 0-2 in the Big East.
 
Both games will be broadcast on FloSports.  Visit FloSports.tv/CAA to view the full Colonial Athletic Association schedule and sign up today.
 
COSTELLO APPROACHING WIN #750
 
Towson head coach Lisa Costello is just one win away from her 750^th career victory with the Black & Gold.
 
Currently in her 27^th season with the Tigers, Costello, who has been the head coach since the 1995-96 season, has been at the helm of 18 winning seasons for Towson, including nine years with at least 34 victories.  In 2018, Towson earned a berth into the National Invitational Softball Championship with a program record 42 wins.
 
As of 2022, Costello is the 33^rd winningest active coach in Division I by total wins.
 
JACKSON EARNS CAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK
 
With a one-run complete game against Monmouth, Julia Jackson was selected as the CAA Pitcher of the Week, her first-ever league weekly honor.
 
Jackson allowed just four hits and struck out four batters in her sixth complete game of the year.  So far in 2022, Jackson has a 3.85 ERA in 52.2 innings, striking out 38 batters.
 
THE LAKE EFFECT
 
Mackenzie Lake returns as Towson's starting shortstop after being a member of the CAA All-Rookie Team in 2021.
 
Lake thus far is avoiding the sophomore slump, hitting 365 with two home runs and nine RBI, plus has seven free passes to just six strikeouts.  So far in her two seasons with Towson, Lake has a career batting average of .376.
 
FEAR THE FRESHMAN
 
Sydni Byers is off to a strong start in her freshman campaign, hitting .348 with a team-best two home runs and 10 RBI.  The New Bern native has five multi-hit games to contribute to a .543 slugging percentage.
 
Her .390 batting average ranks 11^th in the Colonial Athletic Association.
 
BATTING AROUND
 
The Tigers currently have three players in the top-11 of the CAA in batting average through March 14:
--Briana Ramirez: .365, t-7^th in CAA
--Mackenzie Lake: .365, t-7^th in CAA
--Sydni Byers: .348, 11^th in CAA
 
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 Team member Mackenzie Lake, and All-CAA Second Team 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.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
 
Villanova stands third in the Big East with a 3.89 ERA.  Graduate student Paige Rauch is 4-4 with a 4.05 ERA, striking out 57 in 46.2 innings, while freshman Kelsey White has a 3.64 ERA, 3-5 record and 24 strikeouts in 40.1 innings.  Senior shortstop Megan Kern hits .362 with five home runs and 12 RBI to lead the hitting.