ST. LOUIS, Mo. — After a two-week hiatus, the Knox softball team was back in action on Saturday at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, but the NAIA school proved to be too much, handing the Prairie Fire losses of 10-0 and 19-0 at the Affton Athletic Complex. USHP improved to 4-2 on the season, while Knox fell to 0-6.

In the opener, a seven-run third broke open a scoreless game, the big blow being a three-run double off the bat of Hallie Roper. Emma Henley (3-0) tossed a one-hitter in the five-inning game, walking two and striking out four.

Junior Maddie Hicks supplied the lone Prairie Fire hit and walked in her other plate appearance. Sophomore Charlie Davison (0-3) was stuck with the loss for yielding the seven runs in her three innings in the circle.

Although the Eutectics put one run on the board in the first, it was the third inning that once again proved fateful, with a little help from Knox in the field. UHSP strung together seven hits and took advantage of five Prairie Fire miscues to score 10 runs in the frame. Eight more runners crossed the plate in the fourth thanks to eight more hits as the Eutectics finished the contest with 18 knocks.

Talianna Joyner (2-1) earned the win with a three-hit shutout, striking out 10. Fifth-year Londyn Nelson (0-3) took the loss after surrendering 13 runs, nine earned, over three-plus innings.

Junior Taylor Goudschaal, a transfer from Harper College, collected her first hit for the Prairie Fire, and senior Morgan Bean had her first hit of the season.

Knox next plays a doubleheader at Eureka College, which opens its season tomorrow, on Tuesday, March 11 at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed live with stats available through PrairieFire.Knox.edu, the official website of Knox College Athletics.