Knoxville 9 Centerville 8

Thursday May 28, 2009

by Don French

Thursday evening's nightcap with the Big Reds featured more late-inning Knoxville heroics. Again, the Panthers staged a two-run rally in the final inning of play and scored the winning run in the game's final at-bat. This time, it was Mike Jacks who lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Zach Lenger from third base for a 9-8 Panther victory, completing a double-header sweep.

The boys in black and gold found themselves in a hole early in the nightcap. Centerville proceeded to score five times in the top of the first for a quick 5-0 lead. Knoxville replied with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first when the first three batters all drew walks and RBI's were provided by Jacks and Lance Daugherty.

After the Reds increased their lead to a seemingly comfortable 8-2 advantage, it was time for the second Knoxville comeback of the night. More wildness from the Reds' pticher allowed the Panthers to score twice in the fourth, then Knoxville strung together three hits to score three times in the fifth to narrow their deficit to 8-7. Jared McRoberts had an RBI sac fly, and Danny Lee came off the soccer field to lace an RBI double down the left-field line.

Corey Collins led off the sixth with a double and later scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Lenger walked, stole second and advanced to third on the same wild pitch that scored Collins. This set the stage for Jacks, who lifted a fly ball into right deep enough to score Lenger with the winning run. Jacks was also the winning pitcher, throwing the final two innings in relief for Knoxville.

The Panthers are now 2-1 for the young 2009 season, and travel to Winterset Friday evening to face the Huskies.