HAGERSTOWN, Md. – The Towson University baseball team concluded its three-game series vs. UMES on Sunday afternoon at Meritus Park in Hagerstown, Md.
 
The Tigers got strong offensive showings from Nich Francuzenko, MJ Phillips, Brian Heckelman and Ethan Brand, who each recorded multiple RBI's in the game. Towson's five-run eighth inning extended its lead to seven, which proved to be enough cushion to secure the series victory over the Hawks.
 
Key Stats

• Towson reliever Andrew Luczak (1-0) recorded the win, allowing one earned run on three walks in 1.2 innings pitched. Luczak fanned one batter. Kyle Emmons recorded his first save of the season, giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks in 2.0 innings of work. Emmons struck out two.
• UMES reliever Brandon Gomez (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs, three earned, on two hits and one walk in 1.1 innings.

 
How it Happened

• Jordan Peyton started the scoring in the bottom of the third, knocking in Ethan Brand from third after his lead-off double.
• UMES tied it up in the next frame on an RBI double to center with a man on second.
• The Tigers reclaimed the lead in the bottom half, starting with MJ Phillips' RBI double to left center. Brian Heckelman's sacrifice bunt brought home Phillips after he moved to third on a wild pitch. Brand followed with an RBI single through the right side to push the Tiger lead to three.
• UMES took the lead in the top of the fifth, tacking one five runs on six hits to take a 6-4 lead.
• MJ Phillips started the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off home run to cut the deficit in half. After a Brady Nathison single, Heckelman's RBI triple tied the game at six. Brand grounded out on the following at-bat to score Heckelman and give the Tigers a one-run edge.
• With the bases loaded in the next frame, Negron's fielder's choice tied the game once more.
• In the home half, Cole Stefano scored from third on a passed ball to put Towson back in front 8-7.
• The Tigers tacked on five runs on four hits in their next offensive frame. Nich Francuzenko started it off with a two-run homer to right field. Later in the frame, Heckelman's RBI groundout and Brand's two-run single to right center added the final three in the frame.
• UMES hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth before the final two outs were retired for a 13-9 Towson win.

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Inside the Numbers

• Francuzenko extended his hitting streak to five games with his two-run home run, the first of his collegiate career.
• Francuzenko, Phillips, Heckelman and Brand each recorded their first multi-RBI game of the season.
• Stefano and Taye Robinson have each started the season with six-game reached base streaks.

 
On Deck:
The Tigers host UMBC in their home opener on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at John B. Schuerholz Park.