Everything was set up perfectly for the Knoxville Baseball Squad last night in its double header with Davis County. The Panthers had just won the first game over the Mustangs 8-2 and Albia and Centerville had lost their games which gave the Panthers no worse than a share of the South Central Conference title, only needing a win over Davis County in the nightcap to seal the deal. However, the Panthers were unable to get going at the plate except for one inning and dropped game two 5-4. In game one, while not having his best outing, Ben Wallace kept Davis County off balance only giving up a two-run home run in the third inning. The Panther bats were also in fine shape jumping on top early and never trailing. Wallace went the distance allowing five hits, striking out four and walking six. In game two, the Panthers were plagued by base running mistakes, and not being able to get the bats going consistently. After falling behind in the second inning 1-0, Knoxville plated four runs and forged ahead 4-1 only to see Davis County strike for two in the fifth and sixth innings. Panthers Coach Joel Johnson told KNIA/KRLS Sports his team could not take advantage of the five errors Davis County committed. Blake McClung took the loos going six innings giving up five runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out three. The Panthers also may be without the services of starting catcher Calyn Bumgartner, who was injured running down a fly ball in game one. Knoxville is now 15-14 on the season and 13-3 in the South Central Conference. The Panthers will travel to Centerville tonight for a makeup double header. Knoxville can still win the conference outright by taking one of two against the Big Reds. You can hear the nightcap of the twin bill on AM 1320 and 95.3 KNIA and kniakrls.com at seven.
at Knoxville
Game 1
Davis Co 002 000 0 – 2 5 1
Knoxville 310 310 x – 8 10 1
WP – Ben Wallace (6-2)
LP – Nick Slayton (2-4)
Game 2
Davis Co 010 022 0 – 5 9 5
Knoxville 000 400 0 – 4 4 1
WP – Trevor Slayton (3-1)
LP – Blake McClung (5-2)
Knoxville (15-14, 13-3)
Davis County (14-15, 7-11)
