Conway, S.C. -- The Youngstown State softball team suffered a pair of losses on day one of the 2017 Kickin' Chicken Classic at Coastal Carolina University. The Penguins lost to Towson, 9-7, in eight innings and to Coastal Carolina, 5-1.

In the opener against Towson, the Penguins clubbed 12 hits led by junior Cali Mikovich's 4-for-4 performance and two hits each from Alexandria Gibson and Maria Lacatena. Gibson went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs and Lacatena went 2-for-4 with a double and drove in two runs.

Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Gibson belted a two-run home run to spark a three-run inning to tie the game at 5-5. Mikovich singled and stole second then scored on Gibson's first home run of the year to get the Penguins within one, 5-4.

Senior Brittney Moffatt single, Lacatena doubled and junior Stevie Taylor was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Junior Hannah Lucas' single to left field plated Moffatt with the game-tying run. The Penguins, though, had bases loaded with no outs, but could not plate another run.

Towson scored four in the top of eighth to take a 9-5 lead. The Penguins added two runs in the bottom of the eighth on Moffatt's sacrifice fly and Lacatena's single, but could not come closer.

In the nightcap against Coast Carolina, Lacatena collected the Penguins lone hit, a solo home run in the top half of the seventh to break up a no-hitter.

The Penguins face Alabama and Coastal Carolina, Saturday, at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.