Both Panther boys and girls of summer had good nights at Millage Field and Savage Park in Chariton. The girls took care of the Chargers at Savage Park 8-2. Knoxville trailed Chariton 2-1 in the 5th when the Panthers took control with two runs in the 5th, two more in the 6th, and three insurance runs in the 7th. A night after pitching a one hit gem Ciara Heffron was back to wreak havoc in the batter’s box by going 2/4 and slamming a home run. Brittany Bacorn went 3/4 while Jadyn Streigle and Olivia Maasdam had multiple hits. Coach Carla Smith told KNIA/KRLS Sports she is comfortable with the girls getting a look at the opposing pitcher and taking an inning or two to figure out what she is doing.

Smith:
“Our best approach is staying calm at the plate and hitting where the pitcher is pitching and seeing what she does after a couple of innings. We just seem to take an inning or two to figure out what the pitcher is doing.”

Heffron was also good in the circle, getting a win in relief going four innings allowing three hits and a walk. Knoxville finishes the regular season with a 21-8 record which is the most wins since the Panthers won 19 games in 2015. Knoxville will host PCM in a class 3A regional on Tuesday. Meanwhile, down the road at Millage Field, the Knoxville Baseball Squad was busy beating Chariton 11-6 on Friday. The Panthers found themselves down early on to the Chargers but clawed back and posted a four run 5th inning to shut the door. Knoxville is now 14-14 on the season and finishes South Central Conference 10-8. The Panthers will host Newton on Monday.