The Knoxville Softball Squad will be very young this season, in fact 24 of the 30 players are either eighth grade, freshmen or sophomores. Last night, the Panthers got their first taste of real action and played well in a 4-3 loss to Albia. The Lady Dees jumped on top in the first inning 1-0. However, Knoxville would respond in a big way in the second as Taylor Carter took the first pitch she saw over the center field fence to tie the game at one. Albia plated another run in the third, Knoxville continued the back-and-fourth game in the fourth when Sierra Findley ripped a triple to score Carter to tie at two. The Lady Dees pushed across run number three in the fifth, and the insurance run in the sixth to make it 4-2. However Knoxville would plate its third and final run on a double-steal that scored Lucy Olsen, however a diving catch in right field sealed Knoxville’s fate. Coach Steph Christner said overall it was not a bad game, but mistakes here and there gave Albia too many runs. Emily Wallace took the loss going the distance giving up four runs on seven hits, two walks and eight strikeouts. Knoxville is 0-1 on the season will host Martensdale St. Mary’s today. Fans are reminded that the varsity will play first at 4:30 due to the Dollars for Scholars awards night at the high school.

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