CRETE, Neb. – It was a slugfest with 36 runs and 41 hits in the Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader.

Unfortunately for the College of Saint Mary softball team, it resulted in two losses for the Flames.

Doane University beat CSM 9-0 in the opening game and 15-12 in the nightcap.

"Our hitting was there again today and we looked good offensively," CSM Coach Carolyn Todd Bray said. "But Doane's hitting was even more powerful and we couldn't pull out the victories."

The Flames had four hits in the first game as Morgan Ethen had two, including a double. Teammates Megan Garcia and Savannah Schewe also had one hit each.

Doane took advantage of a couple CSM defensive errors and also had two homers to knock off the Flames in five innings.

Garcia took the loss. She pitched 3 1/3 before being relieved by Kymber Shallenberger.

CSM's bats were strong in the second game as the squad tallied 11 hits. Garcia was 3-for-5 with a home run and seven RBI. It was Garcia's first collegiate homer.

Teammate Micki Larsen also had three hits, while Izzy Monzon finished with two. Ethen, Schewe and Kayla Reed all chipped in with one each.

"We were swinging it well that game and making good decisions on pitch selection," Bray said. "I was happy to see six different people in our lineup record hits."

Lowther was tagged with the loss. She tossed 3 1/3 before being relieved by Shallenberger and then Larsen.

"I was really pleased with our mental toughness in the second game," Bray said. "We got ahead early and were up by six runs at one point. But Doane battled back in it and had a big nine-run inning in the fourth. We could've easily given up at that point. But we dug in and rallied to score four more runs in the fifth and then threatened to score again in the seventh."

The Flames are now 0-8 in conference play and 3-27 on the season.

"Obviously, we are disappointed with the losses," Bray said. "But we've played 11 games in the last nine days and the ladies have been battling the entire time. We're looking forward to a much-needed break over the Easter holiday and hoping to get some players back from injuries during that time."

CSM plays again Monday with make-up games vs. University of Jamestown. The home doubleheader starts at 11 a.m.