GREENVILLE, N.C. – Towson softball picked up a split against Rider on the final day of the Pirate Invitational on Sunday. Towson lost a narrow 3-2 extra inning contest in game one before rallying for a 3-2 win in the finale.

Towson (5-9) got big days from Cori Jones, Mackenzie Lake and Cara Bohner, with Naila Neely providing the game winning RBI single in game two.

GAME ONE – Rider 3, Towson 2 (F/8):
Key Stats:

• Towson starter Erin Brown had five strikeouts, the most for her as a Tiger.
• Mackenzie Lake and Cori Jones each had a pair of hits to lead the Tigers at the plate. Jones and Cara Bohner each drove in a run in game one.

How It Happened:

• The Broncs got on the board first in the first inning to take an early lead. That would be short lived however as Cara Bohner tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run.
• Towson had a chance to take the lead in the third after loading the bases with two outs. However, a pop out ended the inning.
• Cori Jones would put the Tigers back in front in the fifth. Mackenzie Lake singled and advanced on an error. She would score on the very next pitch on a Jones double to left center to make it 2-1 Tigers.
• The Broncs would tie it up in the sixth and have a chance in the seventh to take the lead, but a double play ended the inning to keep it tied 2-2.
• The game would go to extra innings. Rider would score in their half of the eighth, with the Tigers failing to tie it up as the Broncs defeated the Tigers 3-2 in game one.

GAME TWO – Towson 3, Rider 2:
Key Stats:

• Mackenzie Lake and Sydni Byers each had two hits with Cori Jones, Cara Bohner and Naila Neely each driving in a run.
• Amanda Medina picked up her first career win throwing four innings of relief, allowing just one run.
• Maddie Gardner earned her first save of the season with a scoreless inning with one strikeout.

How It Happened:

• Rider again got out to a quick start taking the lead on an RBI double in the first inning.
• Towson would tie things up in the third. Mackenzie Lake walked and would be driven in just two pitches later on a Cori Jones RBI double to make it 1-1. Cara Bohner would give the Tigers the lead with an RBI single to score Jones the very next at bat.
• The Broncs would tie the game in the fourth after capitalizing on a Tiger error to make it a 2-2 ballgame.
• That would not last long as the Tigers retook the lead in the sixth after Naila Neely singled home Paige Kostick to make it 3-2 Towson.
• Maddie Gardner would come on in the seventh and shut the door on the Broncs to give Towson a 3-2 win in the finale.

On Deck:

• Towson will make their 2024 home debut to kick off a string of 10 straight home games, starting with Coppin State on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m.