The University of Mary Washington softball team split its Tuesday doubleheader at Averett University on Tuesday afternoon, dropping the opener, 1-0, and claiming game two, 5-4. UMW moves to 8-9 on the season.

In the opener, UMW sophomore Caitlyn Burch battled with Averett's Taylor Sullivan, as Averett scored just one unearned run in the third inning for the lone run of the game. Burch scattered six hits in six innings, with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

Morgan Gilbert, Emma Schieda, and Nya Lloyd picked up hits for UMW in the opener.

In the second game, Averett jumped ahead with three runs in the first and one in the second, but UMW answered with four runs in the third. Lloyd and Brigid Ward singled and Hannah Steele walked to load the bases, and Gilbert followed with a two-run single. Maggie Mrowka reached on a fielder's choice to drive in another run, and Schieda followed with a sacrifice fly to add another.

UMW gained the lead with the eventual winning run in the seventh. Gilbert led off with a double, and scored on a double from Mrowka.

Gilbert was 3-4 with a double, two runs scored, and two RBI, while Lloyd added a pair of hits for UMW. Freshman Taylor Hudson gained her first collegiate win with six clean innings of relief, allowing just one hit and one walk, with six strikeouts.

UMW will return to action on Friday when the Eagles visit Eastern Mennonite University for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.