The Games: Towson (9-13, 0-0 CAA) @ James Madison (9-13, 0-0 CAA)
When: March 26 – 1 p.m. (doubleheader) | March 27 – 1 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Park – Harrisonburg, Va.
Broadcast: FloSports ($)
Series: JMU leads 45-20
 
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Towson University softball team is set to begin Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play, playing 2021 NCAA College World Series competitor James Madison for a weekend series from March 26-27.
 
The teams will play a 1 p.m. doubleheader on March 26 and a 1 p.m. single game on March 27 at the Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
 
Each game will be streamed online via FloSports.  Visit FloSports.tv/CAA to view the full Colonial Athletic Association schedule and sign up today.
 
Each team is beginning CAA play on March 26.  Towson has won six of its last seven games, coming off last weekend's wins over Lafayette 6-3 and Quinnipiac 9-7, to stand at 9-13 overall.  JMU is also 9-13 entering the weekend, splitting a Tuesday doubleheader at Radford 2-10 and 14-2.
 
POULICH SELECTED AS CAA PLAYER OF THE WEEK
 
Hitting .400 in a 3-1 week for Towson, Chloe Poulich was selected as the CAA Player of the Week on March 21.  She is the first Towson player to earn CAA Player of the Week since April 2018.
 
The senior had a pair of multi-hit games during the week, going 3-for-4 with an RBI double vs. Villanova and 2-for-4 with an RBI vs. Quinnipiac, also hitting a home run against Lafayette. 
 
COSTELLO EARNS 750^TH CAREER VICTORY
 
Towson head coach Lisa Costello earned her 750^th career victory on March 16 at Villanova.
 
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.  Through March 20, Costello has 752 career victories as Towson's head coach.
 
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, on March 15.
 
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 328 with three home runs and 12 RBI, plus has nine free passes to just six strikeouts.  So far in her two seasons with Towson, Lake has a career batting average of .360.
 
FEAR THE FRESHMAN
 
Sydni Byers is off to a strong start in her freshman campaign, hitting .339 with two home runs and 13 RBI, leading the team in the latter category.  The New Bern native has six multi-hit games to contribute to a .500 slugging percentage.
 
BATTING AROUND
 
The Tigers currently have three players in the top-13 of the CAA in batting average through March 24:
--Briana Ramirez: .388, 3^rd in CAA
--Sydni Byers: .339, 11^th in CAA
--Mackenzie Lake: .328, 13^th in CAA
 
HOME SWEET HOME
 
The Tiger Softball Stadium has been a strong home for Towson thus far in 2022 as the Tigers stand 5-1 through non-conference play at their friendly confines.
 
In addition, including two games at neighboring UMBC, Towson is 7-1 in games played in Baltimore County this season.
 
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.