It was three total wins in three games on Panther Drive Monday night as both Knoxville softball and baseball squads posted wins, and two of the three ended early due to the run rule. On the softball side, Knoxville sent fans home in the 6th via a 10-0 win over the Chariton. The scoring began when Ashlyn Finarty hit a towering solo home run to left, nearly depositing the ball on the large dirt mound dubbed the “dirt monster” that has been created by the middle school construction project. The Panthers would add two more runs and lead 3-0 after the 2nd inning. The Panthers would add two more runs in the 4th, five in the 5th and the game ending run came home on a sac fly to right by Anna Anderson. Knoxville is now 11-6 on the season and 3-3 in the South Central Conference. On the other side of the Panther Drive, the baseball squad blew out Chariton 12-2 in game one ending it in the 5th. Beau Leisure and Mike Hudson combined to allow three hits in game one. In the nightcap it looked like early on the Panthers would rout the Chargers, jumping on top 6-0 after the 3rd inning, but Chariton came back to make it interesting scoring four runs in the 6th to get to within a run.Knoxville took advantage of a late Charger error to extend the lead and eventually win 8-6. Hudson, who went 2/4 in game two told KNIA/KRLS Sports the team is no longer overthinking things at the plate, and that has made their hitting improve.
Hudson:
“I think our approach at the plate has improved, and not over swinging and hitting the ball the other way, I also think our team chemistry has improved. It’s all about getting better every day.
Trenten Kingery and Leisure both went 2/3 at the plate and combined for five RBI. Luke Spaur earned the win going five innings striking out eight batters. Knoxville improves to 6-10 on the season and 4-6 in the South Central Conference. Baseball stays on Panther Drive to host Bondurant-Farrar tonight while softball travels across the river for the Red Rock Rivalry against Pella. You can hear the action on 95.3 KNIA and 92.1 KRLS beginning at 7:00.