Knoxville 1 Oskaloosa 14

Monday July 12, 2010

by Don French

Monday's second game of the twin-bill with Osky did not go as well as the opener. The Panthers fell into an early hole, managed only three hits for the entire game and were routed 14-1 by the Indians in five innings. The Indians struck quickly, just as the Panthers did in the first game, and took a 5-0 lead after two innings of play.

Knoxville scored its only run in the third to get within four runs of Oskaloosa. Justin Katich walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then scored on Eric Jones' single. The Indians, though, brought the bats again in the bottom of the third and took advantage of some Panther mistakes to score seven more times. This made the score 12-1 and sealed defeat for Knoxville in their final regular-season game.

Starting pitcher Kellen Glover went two-plus innings and took the loss. Katich and Jamie VanderVeer came on in relief.

Knoxville finishes the regular season with a 21-9 record. The Panthers' 14-7 conference mark is good for a tie for second place with Oskaloosa and behind conference champion Norwalk. The Panthers begin post-season play with a first-round District game in Centerville on Friday against the Chariton Chargers.