Knoxville 6  Centerville 15

Saturday June 7, 2008

by Don French

Josh Russell blasted two home runs for four RBI's, but that was not enough to save the Panthers from falling to Centerville 15-6 in the consolation game of Saturday's KHS Tournament. The loss was Knoxville's fourth straight and dropped the Panthers to 5-9 overall.

Russell's first homer brought in Danny Lee, who had just driven in Zach Lenger with a triple in the right-centerfield gap. Lenger's RBI single in the second preceded Russell's second blast, which gave the Panthers a 6-1 advantage after two innings.

Unfortunately for the home team, the Big Reds would score the final 14 runs of the game from that point. Four Knoxville pitchers combined to allow 15 Centerville hits, including three home runs. Panther starter Eric Jones took the loss, but held the Reds at bay through the first two innings before faltering in the third and fourth innings.

Russell's three hits paced the Panther hitting effort, with Lenger adding two hits.

Knoxville will attempt to get back on track Monday in Pella, where the Panthers will face the Pella Christian Eagles in a varsity double-header.