GALESBURG, Ill. - The Ripon softball team hit the road for two games on Saturday afternoon, falling 10-9 in the opener of a doubleheader against Knox College before winning the nightcap by a final of 8-4. The split improves the Red Hawks to 2-4 in Midwest Conference action. 

The Red Hawks moved in front with a five-run top of the third in Game 1, only to see the Prairie Fire tie the game at 6-6 an inning later. Three more Ripon runs came in over the next two frames, but Knox answered with their biggest offensive outburst of the game, going in front 10-9 in the home sixth. 

The heart of the Ripon order proved big, as Abby Gilbertson, Anna Bauer and Maddie Hablewitz each picked up a trio of hits. Designated Kayla Cruz added a two hit day and homered to pick up a pair of RBI, giving Ripon a 16-hit showing as a team. 

Knox took an early 3-0 lead in Game 2, but a Gilbertson double and a home run from Hablewitz led a big third inning for Ripon, moving the Red Hawks in front 4-3. The offense stayed in a rhythm, scratching across at least one run on each of the final three innings to hold on for the 8-4 victory and salvage the split. 

Hablewitz again led the way with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, as her first home run of the year proved to be a devastating blow for the Prairie Fire. Kaylen Berger tossed all seven innings in the circle, striking out a pair en route to her third victory of the season. 

Ripon is back in action on Tuesday with another twin bill in the Prairie State. First pitch against Lake Forest University is slated for 1:00 pm, with the nightcap set to follow.