Knoxville 4 Chariton 5

Monday July 20, 2009

by Don French

An early-inning deficit proved to be just a little too much for the Panthers to overcome in Monday night's District Final against Chariton, as Knoxville dropped a 5-4 decision to the Chargers. The defeat ended Knoxville's 2009 season with an overall record of 22-15.

The Panthers actually took a one-run lead in the top of the first, when Danny Lee hustled out a ground ball to reach first base and later scored on Lance Daugherty's fielder's choice grounder. But Chariton struck back quickly, bunching four hits for four runs and a 4-1 advantage.

After the tough first inning, Kellen Glover settled down on the mound, going four more innings during which he allowed just two more hits and no runs. This kept Knoxville in the game as the Panthers chipped away at the lead.

Two Panther runs in the fifth drew KHS to within a run of the Chargers. Blake McWilliams and Nathan Hegwood each lined triples and each of them scored on sacrifice flies from Daugherty and Zach Stuart.

Knoxville tied the game at 4-4 in the sixth via the speed game. Tyler Worrall singled and stole second and third before racing home on a suicide squeeze play. Lee made a great effort to get the bunt down as Worrall raced home.

But Chariton scored the go-ahead and eventual winning run in the bottom of the sixth, forcing the Panthers into a must-score situation in the seventh. The Panthers came close, as Daugherty doubled. Pinch runner Tanner Peterson later advanced to third, but Knoxville just couldn't get the big hit when it needed it.

The Panthers congratulate Chariton on their District Title and wish the Chargers well down the tournament road. KHS also says goodbye to two seniors who will be missed; Danny Lee and Nathan Hegwood. But everyone else returns from this Panther team which was the runners-up in the Little Hawkeye Conference. There is reason for optimism that 2010 will be a fine year for Knoxville Baseball.