FORT MYERS, Florida—The Prairie Fire softball team is competing in the Gene Cusic Classic over spring break.

Game 1 against Wisconsin-Superior

Kristen Koviekis (Tinley Park, IL, Lincoln-Way North) shut down the Yellow Jackets down for the first four innings, but Superior was able to score in the final three innings to down the Prairie Fire 8-0.

Koviekis, Alannah Sanchez (Espanola, NM, McCurdy), Chelsey Howard (Galesburg, IL, Galesburg), Samantha Nordstedt (Skokie, IL, Niles North), and Esther Trujillo (Chicago, IL, Golder Prep) all tallied hits for Knox in the season opener.
 
Game 2 against Salem State

Sanchez pitched a scoreless first inning and allowed one run in the second, but the Vikings broke through for four runs in the third inning. After a scoreless fourth inning Sanchez was relieved by Koviekis, but errors led to eight unearned runs over the final three innings.

The Knox offense came alive in the sixth inning with a two-out rally. Sanchez and Kaly Davidson (Needham, MA, Needham) singled before Sanchez scored on an error.

Howard finished with two hits, while Sanchez, Davidson, and Nordstedt added a hit apiece.

Game 3 vs. Alfred State

The Prairie Fire struck first when Howard singled home Davidson and Koviekis in the first inning.

Alfred State responded in the bottom half with three runs of their own and added on in the third to take a 6-2 lead.

Knox plated two more runs in the fifth inning when Suzy Vargas (Chicago, IL, Lane Tech) singled to score Nordstedt and Howard.

Alfred State added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to win 8-4.

Koviekis took the loss on the mound for Knox, but only gave up four earned runs on the day.

Howard went 3-for-3 with two RBI and Koviekis had two hits in four at bats. Sanchez, Davidson, Vargas, and Trujillo each managed a hit apiece.

Game 4 vs. Wooster

Sanchez and Trujillo teamed up on the mound to keep the game close, but the Prairie Fire could not push across any runs.

Knox put two runners on in the top of the first inning, but Davidson ended up out on a play at the plate after a Stevenson single. It would prove to be the best chance as the Prairie Fire only managed two more hits on the day.



Game 5 vs. Curry

Knox was held without a baserunner against the Colonels and gave up big second and fourth innings to fall 10-0.

Game 6 vs. Suffolk

Suffolk scored two runs in the first, but Knox scratched a run in the bottom half. The Rams pushed across another run in the second and broke out for six runs in the third. The Prairie Fire scored the next three runs, but Suffolk struck for another six in the top of the seventh to seal the victory.

Howard finished 2-for-2 with two RBI while Koviekis went 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Davidson also added two RBI.

Game 7 vs. Castleton

Knox fell behind early giving up nine runs in the first inning and four more in the second. The Prairie Fire broke out for three runs in the third inning before giving up four more runs in the fourth.

Nordstedt finished 2-for-2 with two RBI while Stevenson added an RBI. Sanchez, Howard, and Stevenson each tallied a hit as well.

Game 8 vs. Minnesota Morris

Minnesota-Morris scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead over the Prairie Fire. Knox battled back with three runs in the sixth, but the Cougars scored four more runs in the bottom half of the inning to seal the victory.

Sanchez tossed six innings giving up eight runs (one earned) on six hits and four walks.

Howard finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored. Vargas had two RBI and Stevenson plated another run. Sanchez, Davidson, Stevenson, Nordstedt, Jimenez, and Vargas all tallied hits for the Prairie Fire.




Stevenson had two hits in three at bats and Sanchez and Davidson had a hit apiece.