The Knoxville Softball Squad is looking to take the next step in the South Central Conference and other areas this season. The Panthers fell in their opening game on Monday to Newton and Coach Coy Hupfeld tells KRLS Sports he not only wants to see improvements but to compete in a conference that has been known as a softball conference. Knoxville started the season 7-9 but finished 9-2 and wound up in third place in the South Central Conference. The Panthers’ game with Oskaloosa last night was rained out and will be made up June 18th. The next Panthers game is at Bondurant-Farrar on Thursday.