CLERMONT, Florida – The Knox softball team falls twice in Thursday's spring games. Knox lost a tight battle against Roger Williams University (RWU) 9-8 and fell short against Edgewood University 13-2.

In game one, the Prairie Fire faced off against the Hawks of RWU. The Hawks took an early one run lead in the first inning. In the top of the second inning, Knox started to fight back when first-year, Morgan Bean, sacrificed her at bat to bring senior, Britany Salinas, home to tie the game early. RWU stretched their lead in the bottom of the second inning to head into the 3^rd up by 2 runs.
But the Prairie Fire were not letting go that easily. With one on base, Salinas came up to bat ready to swing for the fences. And that she did. Salinas hit her first collegiate home run in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game 3-3. The Hawks again were ready to match Knox's runs and increased their lead again in the 5^th and 6^th inning.

Heading into the 7^th inning, the Prairie Fire were down 7-3 but not ready to give RWU the game. Maya McEwen and Lacey Miller started the inning with singles and allowed fifth year, Casey Hipp, the chance for some RBIs. She was ready for the task. Hipp singled to bring McEwen home and send Miller into scoring position. Leila Rouhani came up to the plate next to repeat Hipp's at bat. Rouhani singled to bring Miller in and Hipp advanced to scoring position. Like déjà vu, Mimi Schweitzer wanted part of the action. Schweitzer singled to put the tying run in scoring position and to bring Hipp home. With Taylynn Kizer up to bat, the Prairie Fire were down 7-6. Kizer sacrificed her at bat to tie the game and bring Rouhani home. Salinas changed the lead with her at bat, bringing Schweitzer home, and sent the Prairie Fire into the bottom of the 7^th with a one run lead. Unfortunately, the Hawks were able to score two runs in the bottom of the 7^th to beat the Prairie Fire 9-8.

In game 2, the Prairie Fire faced the well-versed Edgewood University Eagles. The Eagles entered the game just short of .500 and were ready to even out their wins and losses. The Eagles took the lead early in the 2nd inning, but the Prairie Fire again were ready to swing. Knox tied the game 1-1 in the first inning with a run from Miller. The Eagles quickly increased their lead by 2 in the third inning and maintained a lead throughout the game. Knox was able to add a run quickly in the 3^rd inning to shorten their lead but were unable to score again the rest of the game. After a long and well fought day, the Eagles won 13-2 and left the Prairie Fire 0-2 for the day.

Salina's would be named today's MVP if it were awarded with 3 hits, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, and her first collegiate home run. But the Prairie Fire shared the hitting wealth today. Miller added 3 hits and 2 runs while Schweitzer ended the day with 2 hits, 3 runs, and an RBI. Hipp came back from a hitless Tuesday, to tally up 3 hits for the day, an RBI, and a run. And lastly, first-year, Rouhani made the most of her two hits by tallying 2 RBIs and a run on the day.

"Our opponents this week are great teams, and we are continuing to fight back each game. It was great to see the various impact players in game one and highlight the strength we have on our roster," said head coach Erin Rutledge. "Each game we are finding ways to improve. We endured a long battle today against our opponents but stay energized for the rest of the week."

Knox returns to action on March 18^th in the Spring Games. The Prairie Fire will face Wesleyan University at 9:30 CST and Macalester at 11:45 CST.