Box Score
GALESBURG, Illinois – The Prairie Fire had more hits and struck out 16 batters, but Robert Morris University-Peoria still came away with a 5-3 win on a chilly Wednesday afternoon at Blodgett Field.

Knox grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a single by sophomore Drake Sykes (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg) that scored sophomore Paul Sanders (Rock Island, IL, Rock Island) in the bottom of the first.

Sophomore Alec Jordan (Spring Grove, IL, Richmond-Burton) recorded five strikeouts through his first two innings of work on the mound.  The Eagles moved in front by scoring three unearned runs with two outs in the top of the third against Jordan, who did not allow a hit in the inning.

Robert Morris (5-1) pushed the tying run across on a passed ball with the bases loaded.  A wild pitch that brought the next runner home and a double steal of second and home made it 3-1.

The Eagles added another unearned run in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to three.

The Prairie Fire (3-7) cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the sixth on a ground ball off the bat of first-year Matt McCaffrey (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) that scored Sykes, who led off the inning with a single.

A double and a run-scoring single to open the top of the seventh gave Robert Morris a 5-2 advantage.  Junior hurler Jeremy Gogoel (Elgin, IL, Hampshire) escaped a one-out, bases-loaded jam by inducing a line out to shortstop and a ground ball for a force out at second base.

Knox looked to rally in the bottom of the ninth when McCaffrey stroked a lead-off double.  RMU reliever Luke Hermann retired the next two batters before sophomore Kam Wells (Champaign, IL, Champaign Central) laced a pinch hit double to score McCaffrey.  A ground ball to first base ended the threat, and the game.

Jordan (0-2) suffered the loss despite surrendering only one hit.  He struck out nine and walked four in four innings.  Five Knox pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts, a new single-game record that ranks in a tie for fourth place all-time in the Midwest Conference record book.

The Prairie Fire also struck out 16 times in the contest, including 14 against Robert Morris starter Jake Light.  He earned the win after giving up two runs, four hits, and two walks in seven innings.  Hermann tossed two innings out of the bullpen and picked up the save.

Knox outhit the Eagles 6-5.  Sykes led the way with three and McCaffrey had two.

The Prairie Fire travel to Beloit College for a doubleheader on Sunday.  The first game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.