CLERMONT, Fla. — The Knox College softball team was held scoreless over two games at THE Spring Games in Florida, though they hung tough with sixth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. But the Prairie Fire fell to 0-16 on the season following a 7-0 loss against the Titans (11-1) and a 14-0 defeat versus SUNY Old Westport (1-9)
Against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, fifth-year right-hander Londyn Nelson (0-6) did an admirable job containing the potent Titan lineup over the first four innings, allowing just two runs. But things unraveled in the fifth when Oshkosh strung together seven consecutive singles that plated five runs for a 7-0 lead.
Knox's best chance to score came in the sixth when the first two hitters reached base. But a possible single up the middle was negated when the runner on second interfered with the diving shortstop for the first out, and the next two batters struck out on full-count pitches to end the threat.
Three Titan pitchers limited the Prairie Fire to two hits and three walks with reliever Grace Nardi (3-0) getting credited with the victory.
The showdown with Old Westbury started in a similar fashion with the Panthers taking a 2-0 lead through three frames. But a five-run fourth and a seven-run fifth that featured three hits and seven walks blew the game wide open.
Knox batters collected three hits, one apiece from seniors Maddie Poetzinger and Morgan Bean, along with junior Kylie Thomson.
Hailey Ragozine (1-3) notched her first win with four scoreless stanzas on two hits with one strikeout. Suffering the loss was sophomore Charlie Davison (0-8).
Knox finishes up its Florida trip with two games against first-time opponents on Sunday, both a Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont. First up will be Union College (0-2) at 12:15 p.m. followed by Manchester University (3-3) at 2:30 p.m. Fans can watch the action on Fast Pitch TV Network with a subscription to the service.
