Box Score
EAST PEORIA, Illinois – The Prairie Fire rallied to take the lead late against Robert Morris University-Peoria but couldn't hold on in an 11-7 loss Thursday night at Eastside Centre.

Sophomore Drake Sykes hit a two-out, two-run single in the top of the eighth to snap a 4-4 tie and give Knox its first lead since the third inning.  Sophomore Alex Bell, who walked ahead of Sykes, scored on an error to make it 7-4.

The Eagles (16-11) struck for seven runs in their half of the eighth inning to regain the lead for good.  The first two runs scored on an error, followed by back-to-back singles that plated three more for a 9-7 edge with nobody out.  RMU added a pair of tallies before a ground ball out and a strikeout retired the side.

The teams combined for 11 runs, nine hits, and four errors in the eighth inning compared to seven runs, 13 hits, and seven errors the rest of the game.

The Prairie Fire (9-24) put the first run on the board in the top of the third on a ground ball to shortstop by Sykes that scored sophomore Paul Sanders.  RMU scored twice in the bottom of the inning on an error with the bases loaded.

Knox pulled even at 2-2 as Sykes and Sanders teamed up again in the top of the fifth.  The Eagles snatched the lead back with two runs in their next trip to the dish.

Sykes, who led the way with four RBI in the game, trimmed the Prairie Fire deficit to 4-3 with a fly ball to center field that brought in first-year Auggie Ward.

Knox banged out 10 hits in the contest, led by Bell and first-year Matt McCaffrey with two apiece.  One of McCaffrey's hits was a double, the lone extra base hit by either squad. Bell, Sanders – who scored three runs, and Ward each had a stolen base.

Junior Marty Salazar was charged with the loss on the mound.  He allowed five runs (three earned) and five hits with one strikeout in one inning of relief.

Next up for the Prairie Fire is a doubleheader at Midwest Conference North Division member Lawrence University.  The first game is scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m.