Knoxville and Oskaloosa baseball squads split a doubleheader on Panther Drive Thursday with the Indians winning 5-4 in eight innings in game one and the Panthers getting a four hit masterpiece from Kyler Gifford to take game two 1-0. Game one was back and forth with neither team able to take full control. The Panthers tied the game on three occasions but could never jump on top. Brenden Woolsey went 5.1 innings while Lincoln Norris went 2.2, both collecting three strikeouts. In game two, Gifford kept Oskaloosa off balance all game allowing just four hits, one walk and ten strikeouts. Coach Turner Devore tells KNIA/KRLS Sports, along with Gifford, he thinks he has a strong pitching staff that no one player stands out.

Devore: “We have a bunch of very quality arms. Kyler Gifford pitched well last year, and Brenden Woolsey pitched very well near the end of last season, and we’re hoping guys like Gifford, Woolsey and a few of the younger guys step up when we need them.”

Gifford also led the Panthers offensively getting two hits. Knoxville is now 1-2 on the season and is off until Wednesday when the Panthers host Chariton.