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Knoxville Baseball got a sweep on Friday night over Mount Pleasant (17-15) by final scores of 7-4 and 11-3. The other Panthers are a team that has given Knoxville fits over the years holding an 8-3 series edge in all games since 1978 heading into last night’s games. Knoxville did win the most important of those previous engagements, in the 2002 State Semifinals.

It was a six run 2nd inning that propelled Knoxville to the 7-4 victory in the opener. Some small ball set up the big inning, but as usual it was a couple of big hits that broke things open. Kevin Woodhouse, who reached base safely 8 of 9 times on the night, had a 2 RBI triple. Jared McClung followed up with his own RBI base knock as Knoxville jumped out to a 6-1 lead. Tony Salato got the complete game win on the mound as he held off a feisty bunch from Mount Pleasant who never stopped trying to rally.

The nightcap was also a close contest for most of the game until Knoxville exploded for six runs in the top of the 7th. The big blast was a three run homer by DJ Snyder to extend what was just a 5-3 lead at the time. Knoxville would extend that lead to the final score of 11-3 with a Kevin Woodhouse RBI double and a Jared McClung 2 RBI single. Woodhouse, who extended his personal hitting streak to 35 games by hitting safely in both ends of the twin bill, also earned the sixth win of his senior campaign going the distance on the mound.

Head Coach Joel Johnson told KNIA/KRLS that he was proud of his ball club for battling all 14 innings against a very athletic opponent who kept hanging around all night long until the Snyder home run finally broke their will.

After spending the night in Mount Pleasant, #6 Knoxville (27-5) will be in Keokuk on Saturday afternoon for a doubleheader with the same Chiefs team that ended their season one year ago in the first round of the postseason.

Game 1:

Knoxville 060 001 0 – 7 12 3
Mt Psant 100 300 0 – 4 7 1

WP – Tony Salato (4-1)
LP – Dalton Shull (4-2)

Game 2:

Knoxville 121 100 6 – 11 7 2
Mt Psant 020 010 0 – 3 6 2

WP – Kevin Woodhouse (6-2)
LP – Ryan Moutrie (1-1)

HR – DJ Snyder (2)

#6 Knoxville (27-5)
Mount Pleasant (17-15)

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