The Knoxville Softball Squad jumped on Oskaloosa early and often in an 11-1 romp over the Indians on Tuesday night heard live on 95.3 KNIA. The Panthers scored two runs in the 1st inning as starting pitcher Ashlyn Finarty helped her own cause by singling on a 1-0 count. Finarty would come up big in the 4th inning by clubbing a home run along with a single in the 2nd. All told Finarty batted in four runs. Jadyn Streigle hit a bomb to right field later one to add more misery to Oskaloosa. Coach Carla Smith told KNIA/KRLS Sports, hitting was stressed not only in the offseason, but in the days leading up to last night’s game.

Smith: “We came out very well tonight with the bats. It was a great opportunity to come to Oskaloosa and take care of the bats and do very well tonight.”

Finarty got the win going five innings allowing one run on no hits and six strikeouts. Ciara Heffron pitched the last two innings striking out one. Knoxville is 1-0 on the season. Meanwhile, down the road a bit the Knoxville Baseball Squad played Oskaloosa in a scheduled double header. The Panthers won the first game 9-7. Knoxville struck for two runs in the top of the 2nd, however Oskaloosa responded with four in the bottom of the 3rd, Knoxville then tied it at four in the 4th and got some separation in the 5th leading 8-4. Knoxville would have to hold on and get an insurance run in the top of the 7th to preserve the win. Trenton Kingery went 3/4 with three RBI and a home run. Hayden Hatch, and Evan Prevo had two RBI each while Koby Higginbotham got one. Higginbotham also earned the win going three innings allowing two runs on no hits and four strikeouts, Kade Bellon earned the save. The teams started the second game but rain chased everyone away in the 5th inning of a scoreless game. The game is suspended pending a date to resume it. Knoxville is now 4-2 on the season.