TOWSON, Md. - Hosting Hofstra in an important Colonial Athletic Association weekend series, the Tigers (11-13, 22-27) are looking to improve their position to earn one of the six spots in the CAA Tournament later this month. While the Tigers are tied for sixth in the CAA entering this weekend, Hofstra has virtually clinched a berth in the CAA Tournament.Towson and Hofstra are scheduled to play three single games this weekend. The series opener will be played on Friday on 3:00. On Saturday, the teams will play at 2:00. The Tigers and the Pride play the series finale on Sunday at 1:00.Saturday's game will be Alumni Day.The Tigers enter the weekend tied for sixth in the CAA with William and Mary (11-13, 28-20) and Georgia State (11-13, 21-28). Virginia Commonwealth (13-14, 28-21) has a 1/2 game lead on the Tigers, the Tribe and the Panthers.
While the Tigers are hosting Hofstra, William and Mary will be hosting UNC Wilmington while Georgia State hosts Delaware. Meanwhile, VCU visits James Madison.
Enjoying the best season in school history, heavy-hitting Hofstra comes to Towson with a 29-18 overall record and a 16-8 mark in the CAA. Hofstra, which has won nine of its last ten games, has already broken the school record for victories in a single season. The Pride is second in the CAA, three games behind CAA-leading UNC Wilmington.
With a .340 team batting average, Hofstra ranks second in NCAA Division I. The Pride leads the nation with 570 hits and 139 stolen bases. Averaging 8.3 runs per game, Hofstra is fourth nationally.Senior Danny Poma, a strong candidate for All-American honors, is batting .450, the second highest batting average in the country. He has scored 70 runs to lead the nation while his 29 doubles are also first nationally.
Hofstra has the top three hitters in the CAA on its roster. Senior first baseman Jared Hammer, a .401 hitter, is the second-leading hitter in the CAA.  Hammer is third in the nation with 60 runs batted in. Senior shortstop Danny Ford is batting .381, the third-highest mark in the CAA.
While Hofstra has been an explosive offensive team, the Tigers are hitting .258. One of the top defensive teams in the CAA, the Tigers have a .968 fielding percentage with 47 double plays.
However, Coach Mike Gottlieb's team has played very well at Schuerholz Park. Towson has a 13-6 record at home this season and is batting .315 in its home games.
Sophomore rightfielder Dominic Fratantuono leads Towson with a .309 batting average. He has seven doubles, six triples, three homers and 22 runs batted in. Freshman Brendan Butler is the Tigers’ hottest hitter. He is batting .302 with a team high 29 runs scored and is tied for the team lead with 28 RBI’s.Junior righthander Michael Trionfo has been the Tigers' most consistent pitcher this season. He has made 11 starts and has posted a 7-3 record with a 3.63 E.R.A. Trionfo has pitched 62.0 innings and has 44 strikeouts with only 23 walks. Trionfo is second in the CAA in wins.
Sophomore righthander Chris Acker and senior righthander Tyler Austin have pitched very well out of the bullpen. Although Acker has a 3-4 record with three saves and a 4.35 E.R.A., he has pitched in hard luck. Two of his losses have come on unearned runs in the ninth inning.
Austin is tied for the CAA lead with 26 appearances. The Tigers' career leader with 78 appearances, he has a 2-3 record with three saves. In 47.1 innings, Austin has 64 strikeouts and 32 walks. Austin already owns the Towson career record with 190 strikeouts.
Injuries to the Tiger pitching staff have left Coach Gottlieb scrambling to find starting pitchers. Sophomore lefthander Kyle Paul has pitched well in his CAA starts while junior Mike Volpe has also done well.
After this weekend, the Tigers have three games remaining in the regular season. Next weekend,  Towson closes out its regular season schedule with a three-game series against James Madison.