MARIETTA, Ga. ­ The Troy State softball team claimed its pool with wins over Appalachian State and Nicholls State to earn a bye to the quarterfinals at the Buzz Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Troy State (28-8) won its first game 8-0 over Appalachian State. Freshman catcher Tamra Howren led the Troy State offense, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and her seventh home run of the season, tying the school record for most home runs in a season.

In the second game, Troy State held off a late rally from Nicholls State, claiming a 6-4 win and the pool title.

The Lady Trojans took advantage of four Nicholls State errors, scoring four unearned runs.

Howren’s home run against Appalachian State, a two-run shot to center field, put Troy State ahead 2-0 in the third inning.

Howren tied Bridget McInnes’ record of seven that was set last season.

She needs just eight more home runs to tie the school record for home runs in a career.

The Troy State offense racked up 10 hits, with Bonnie Belin and Erin Flater both going 2-for-3, with Belin driving in a run.

Freshman Ashley Floyd picked up the win, improving her record to 8-2 on the season.

She allowed just one over five innings while striking out three.

"We hit the ball really well against Appalachian State," said Troy State head coach Melanie Davis.

"Tamra got a pitch that she could drive and hit it hard.

She’s had a great season and is going to set a lot of records before her career is done."

Troy State jumped out early in the second game, scoring two runs in the third.

Flater hit a sacrifice fly to right field, driving home Peggy Swift, with Jenny Boyd scoring from second on a throwing by the right fielder to put TSU on top.

The Lady Trojans added a run in the fourth on Belin’s third home run of the year to go ahead 3-0.

Troy State added three more runs in the fifth to go on top 6-0.

The Colonels would answer back with a run in the fifth and sixth inning, scoring two more in the seventh before starter Cassie Wilkenson re-entered and shut the door for the 6-4 win.

Wilkenson improved to 12-1 on the year with the win.

She allowed one run on six hits in six innings while walking two.

"It was great to win and get the bye in the tournament, but we made way too many mistakes," Davis said.

"We’ve got to do a better job in the field and not making bad plays. We lost our focus when we took a 6-0 lead and we’ve got to learn how to finish off these type of games."

With a 4-0 record in pool play, the Lady Trojans will earn one of the top four seeds in the tournament bracket, and a first round bye.

TSU will play its quarterfinal game at 9 a.m. (EST) on Sunday morning.

The semifinals are scheduled for 11 a.m. and the championship will begin at 1 p.m.