Once their game finally started against Clarke on Monday night, there was little question if Knoxville Baseball would stay undefeated in the South Central Conference. Knoxville scored five runs in the top of the first in route to a 17-0 win in a game that was scheduled to start two hours early because of weather concerns, but actually started an hour later than planned when one of the umpires ran out of gas on the way to Osceola. The early lead and plethora of hits, 14 to be exact, was more than enough for starting pitcher Nolan Wallace. He struck out six Indians in four innings to earn his third win of the season. He gave up an infield single to start the game, but that was the last hit Clarke could muster in the five inning game. Blake McClung pitched the fifth and final frame for the Panthers. The first inning was a hit parade for Knoxville as they batted around. After going quietly in the second, a third inning outburst – all with two outs – would remove any doubt in the outcome. Tony Salato had an RBI double, followed by an RBI single by Kevin Woodhouse. Then the knockout punch was delivered by Jared McClung with a three run homer, his first this season. Jake Kendall and Kevin Woodhouse led the way with three hits each on the night. Number five ranked Knoxville is now 15-3 overall and a perfect 9-0 in the conference. They are on the road again tonight for an SCC doubleheader at Centerville.
K’ville 5 0 6 3 3 – 17 14 0
Clarke 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 1 5
WP – Nolan Wallace (3-0) [br]
LP – Landon Spurgin (1-1)
HR – Jared McClung (1)
#5 Knoxville (14-3, 9-0)
Clarke (4-11, 2-8)