TOWSON, Md. – Senior left hander Devin Hemmerich narrowly missed pitching a no-hitter Sunday, instead settling for a one-hit shutout to help Norfolk State split a doubleheader with Towson at Schuerholz Park and put an end to the Spartans' nine-game losing streak.

Hemmerich's masterpiece, which included seven strikeouts, came in NSU's 8-0 win in game one of Sunday's twin-bill. Host Towson rebounded with a 5-0 win in the nightcap to earn a split. The teams were originally set for a three-game weekend series, but had canceled Saturday's game due to inclement weather.

Hemmerich took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Towson nine-hole hitter Andrew Cassard hit a one-out single. But Hemmerich closed out the Tigers in the eighth and ninth without allowing another hit to help the Spartans (4-10) end their losing skid.

It was Hemmerich's second career complete-game shutout and first in a nine-inning game. Hemmerich (2-2), who now has eight complete games in his career, last threw a shutout in a seven-inning win at Coppin State in 2015. Interestingly enough, Hemmerich was the last Spartan pitcher to throw a no-hitter, though it did not come in a shutout. He tossed a seven-inning no-hitter in another game against Coppin State two years ago, which NSU won 6-1.

Hemmerich had plenty of offensive support. The Spartans matched a school record with nine stolen bases and tallied 10 hits, including a season-high three from third baseman Justin Burrell. Roger Hall drove in three runs.

The Spartans scored the game's first runs in the third. Brian Beard doubled and scored on Terrence Pinkston's RBI single. Pinkston stole second and later scored on a fielder's choice by Hall. 

Beard again started a rally in the fifth. He was hit by a pitch, stole second and third bases and scored on a sacrifice fly by Burrell. Burrell added an RBI single and Hall a run-scoring double in the seventh.

Tony Leite manufactured a run in the eighth when he walked, moved up on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a throwing error to give NSU a 6-0 edge, and the Spartans scored twice more in the ninth to pad their lead.

Eight of the nine Spartan batters had at least one hit and seven had at least one stolen base. Beard was 1-for-2 with three runs scored and two steals. Pinkston also stole two bases as NSU swiped nine bags for the third time in program history and first since a win over Virginia State in 2005.

Towson rebounded in game two behind a combined four-hit shutout from Michael Adams and Kyle Stricker. Logan Burke knocked in four runs for the Tigers in the nightcap, including a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning.

Beard, Burrell, Alex Mauricio and Troy White had the hits for the Spartans in game 2. 

Adams (2-0) allowed four hits and struck out seven in six scoreless innings to earn the victory for Towson. Stricker did not allow a hit in three scoreless frames to pick up the save.

Jonathan Mauricio (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings. He walked none and struck out three. Chase Anderson pitched the final two innings for NSU.

The Spartans end their string of seven straight road games Tuesday with a 6 p.m. matchup at William & Mary.