GALESBURG, Illinois - The Prairie Fire softball team earned a split with Monmouth on Monday afternoon.

The Fighting Scots scored four runs in the first inning of game one to take and early lead. Knox responded with a run in the bottom of the first, but Monmouth added two more runs in the second. The Fighting Scots added four more runs in the fourth and fifth innings to earn a 10-2 victory.

In game two, Monmouth again took an early lead with two runs in the first inning. The Prairie Fire answered with two runs of their own and then added two more in the second to take the lead. The Fighting Scots plated a run in the fifth, but Knox scored a run of their own in the bottom half and held on for a 5-3 win. The win over Monmouth is the first for the Prairie Fire since 2008.

Casey Hipp had a big day at the plate with two hits and four RBI. Mady Ferris, Cammie Stein, Lacey Miller, Maya McEwen, and Haylee Carpenter each added two hits apiece.

Mimi Schweitzer earned her first career win on the mound for the Prairie Fire, scattering eight hits and allowing three earned runs.

"The second game was huge for us, it always feels great to get a win against a rival," said head coach Erin Rutledge. "Everyone bounced back from game one and kept the momentum and energy high. I'm really proud of how everyone came together to fight for the win."

Knox hosts Illinois College on April 17 to kickoff the conference season.