MONMOUTH, Illinois - The Prairie Fire softball team earned a split today with conference rivals Monmouth College. The split with Monmouth today has left the Knox softball team with a 6-8 conference record. The Knox softball program has not had six or more conference wins since 2005. The split today has also pushed the Fire to twelve overall wins. The last time the Knox softball program recorded over ten overall wins was 2003. 

The Prairie Fire were able to score first in games one in inning two after a zero run first inning. Knox plated three runs in the top of the second inning. The Scots scored one run in the bottom of the third. The score remained 3-1 until inning five when the Scots managed to push another additional run across the plate. The Fire kept the score at 3-2 for the remainder of game one, resulting in a Knox win with no recorded errors. 

Game two began with a scoreless first three innings. Both teams were able to produce baserunners, but were ultimately unable to score them until the fourth. Knox scored the first run in game two in the top of the fourth inning. The Scots plated two and took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Fire was quick to turn the momentum around and get the lead back in the top of the sixth with two runs. Knox led 3-2 going into the final inning. Monmouth managed to score two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, leaving Knox with a tough 4-3 loss. 

Eileen Sheetz led the Fire with three hits on the day. Ally Hyde recorded thirteen strikeouts in game one. Mimi Schweitzer also racked up her 100th career strikeout in game two. 

"Both games today were hard-fought games," said head coach Erin Clark. "Although game two didn't end how we wanted, I am proud of the grit and unwillingness to give up that the team displayed today. We are ready to get a few more practices in and are excited to continue our historic season." 

The Knox softball team will resume play on May 6th at Cornell for their last regular season doubleheader.