BELMONT, N.C. -- Megan Towery had four hits for the straight doubleheader and Sienna Garcia threw a complete-game shutout as Belmont Abbey earned a split with Coker in collegiate softball action Thursday afternoon. The Crusaders won the first game 7-0 before falling 7-5 in the nightcap.

Towery batted four for eight with four RBIs and two runs scored over the two games. She has hit safely in all eight games this season.

With the results, The Abbey improves to 3-7 this season, while the Cobras now sit at 5-3.

THE OPENER

• Five different players each had two hits for the Crusaders -- Alayna Patrick, Hannah Jane Gard, Casey Laing, Lily Garnett-Brown and Towery.
• Two of the team's 11 hits went for extra bases -- a home run by Towery and a double by Patrick.
• Belmont Abbey opened the scoring three runs in the first, highlighted by RBI singles by Towery and Nora Cutler. Lauren Huebsch also walked with the bases loaded.
• Garcia (2-3) pitched the complete-game shutout, the first of her career. She walked one and struck out eight.

THE NIGHTCAP

• Belmont Abbey registered nine hits in the contest with eight players gaining at least one.
• Each team scored three runs in the first inning, the Crusaders coming on a three-run blast by Towery.
• Jordan Stefani also homered, cutting Coker's lead to 7-4 in the sixth.
• Lilly Hartsell (0-3) allowed seven runs in 4.1 innings to take the loss. She struck out three.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey continues its homestand on Saturday when it hosts Tusculum.
• The doubleheader at Crusader Field begins at 1 p.m.