The Knoxville Softball Squad has some huge games with conference title implications ahead of the Panthers in the next couple of the weeks. But first the Panthers will have to navigate a non-conference opponent on Monday. Knoxville travels to Newton looking to get just its second non-conference win of the season against the Cardinals squad that stands at 14-13 and runs the minefield that is the Little Hawkeye Conference. Coach Chris Peden tells KNIA/KRLS Sports this and the Fairfield contest next week, will get his team ready for what the regional might look like.

Peden: “So we know those results. We’re going to get those games with Osky. And Faifield is long bus ride, it’s kind of like the regional where we’re going to have to get there and get the job done, so there’s a lot to take out of those opportunities.”

Sandwiched in between are two conference games, one this Wednesday at Chariton which is a must win against the Chargers for the Panthers to have any shot at the South Central Conference title. Knoxville is currently 9-3 in conference play while Cardinal is 10-4. If the Panthers win out, they would be guaranteed at least a share of the conference title with Cardinal, however if the Comets lose to Centerville on Tuesday, then the Panthers would move one step closer to clinching an outright title with the Centerville game left to finish next Monday, that game was suspended in the top of the 4th inning with the Reddettes leading 7-2. Wednesday’s game with Chariton will be broadcast live on 95.3 KNIA.