A Friday night non-conference tilt saw Indianola overpower Knoxville 14-1 in five innings in a game heard live on 94.3 KNIA, as Indianola earned seven extra base hits in the contest. The Indians got the scoring started in the first with a Will Young single and a Gabe Zwanziger RBI single to take a 1-0 advantage, with the Indians getting RBI doubles in the second from Ethan Ellsworth and Brady Blake taking a 3-0 lead into the third. Indianola batted 12 and scored eight in the third, then scored another three in the fourth including a two-run home run from Ethan Ellsworth. Ellsworth picked up the win on the mound, and stood out offensively as well going 3-4 with four RBi and three runs scored, while Tyce Johnson hit a pair of doubles in the contest. Indians head coach Casey Aldridge tells KNIA Sports getting a win after a rough start to the week was big.

“We always want to get some momentum in going into the final week of the regular season. We knew earlier this week would be two tough games, and they were and we didn’t play well enough to win. But picking up wins Thursday and Friday will hopefully get our confidence up and give us some momentum going into next week.”

Knoxville did not lack for chances in the contest, getting multiple runners on base in every inning of the contest, but weren’t able to push any runs across. Mike Hudson, Jaxon Zuck, Carter Bailey and Beau Leisure all had a pair of hits for the Panthers. Head coach Turner DeVore tells KNIA Sports that was good to see especially after a long week of play.

“I think we played our best ball this week. We went 4-2, didn’t play well in the second game Thursday then played a good team in Indianola. I feel like we are playing our best ball, especially swinging the bat. I’m happy with where we are at, I want to get a few good games in next week then get ready for Winterset on Friday.”

The Indians improve to 10-9 on the season and will next play Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln on Monday, while the Panthers fall to 8-9 and will play Fairfield Monday.