GALESBURG, Illinois - The Prairie Fire softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Blackburn College on Wednesday afternoon with a score of 7-2 in the first game, and 8-5 in the second game.

The Beavers took an early lead in game one, scoring two runs in the first inning. Knox quickly bounced back in the second inning with a double from Maddie Poetzinger, batting in two runs. Blackburn pulled ahead again in the fourth inning with two more runs. The Beavers were able to add three more runs in the seventh inning, ending hopes of a late Prairie Fire comeback.

In game two, Blackburn was able to take an early lead bringing in one run in the first inning. A strong hit from Kylie Thomson forced an error from the Beavers, evening the score in the second inning by bringing in a run. The third inning saw both team battle it out, with Blackburn and Knox scoring two runs each. With two singles from both Maddie Hicks and Londyn Nelson, the Prairie Fire were able to bring in two more runs and tie the game 3-3 heading into the fourth inning.

The Beavers started to pull away with three runs in the fourth inning and one run in the sixth inning. After another Hicks single in the seventh inning, Knox was able to bring in one more run, but came up short against the Beavers.

Poetzinger led the way for the Prairie Fire today with five hits, while Hicks added four hits of her own.

"Overall, we played well today" said coach Casey Hipp. "Lost ourselves a bit here and there on both sides of the ball, but we stayed in it and gave it our all until the last out. All in all, we need to tighten some things up, but nothing we can't handle in practice and work out before our next games" added Hipp.

Knox will look to bounce back at home this Saturday, April 13th in a doubleheader against Lake Forest at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.