photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

TOWSON, MD -- The Towson University softball team scored six runs in a decisive third inning rally as the Tigers defeated the University of Delaware, 9-1, in a five inning game Sunday afternoon at Towson Center Field.

The Tigers, who swept the weekend series, improved to 25-18 overall and 8-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while the Blue Hens dropped to 18-17 overall and 3-9 in conference play.

Delaware opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Katie Lee doubled to leftfield with one out and scored when Quinn Megargel (at right) followed with a single to left.

However the Tigers took control by scoring six runs in the bottom of the third. Emily Gould ignited the rally with a single to left, and one out later singles by Sammi DiPompo and Mindy Bean loaded the bases. Kim Lempa then singled to centerfield to drive home Gould, and Navarro put Towson ahead with a two-run single to leftcenter that scored DiPompo and Bean.

Samantha Shawn then relieved UD starter Anne Marie Pagano in the circle for the Blue Hens, but Aimee Rosa greeted Shawn by drilling a three-run homer to leftcenter to give Towson a 6-1 lead.

Michelle Kenney took over in the bottom of the fourth in the circle for Delaware, and she retired the first two batters before Lempa and Navarro each singled. Rosa then singled to right to drive home Lempa, while Navarro crossed the plate when Stefanie Streets followed with a single to right.

After the Tigers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth, DiPompo scored on a wild pitch by Pagano to end the game due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Tigers pitcher Shannon Johnston earned the win and improved to 13-8 after allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out one and not walking a batter. Pagano dropped to 10-7 for the Blue Hens after giving up six earned runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in three innings of work. Shawn was charged with one earned run on three hits in two thirds of an inning, while Kenney allowed two runs on four hits in one inning.

Kim Ovittore had the third Delaware hit, a single to left in the top of the second inning.

Delaware returns to CAA action on Saturday when the Blue Hens host George Mason in a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon.

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