Knoxville 16 Grinnell 0

Monday June 29, 2009

by Don French

Unlike the opening game of Monday's doubleheader, the Panthers wasted very little time throwing runs on the scoreboard in the nightcap. Knoxville scored eleven runs in the first three innings and went on to a 16-0 crushing of South Tama that was ended by the mercy rule in the fourth inning.

Blake McWilliams singled in the first Knoxville run in the first inning, then the Panthers piled on four more in the second. Zach Lenger drove in three of those runs with one swing when he came up with the bases loaded and sent a triple to left center. McWilliams had a triple of his own in the third inning, when Knoxville scored six more to push their lead into double digits. Lance Daugherty sent a double down the third-base line in that third inning and later scored on Eric Jones' single.

The Panthers continued to hit and score despite Coach Mott emptying his bench. Tyler Worrall hit Knoxville's third triple of the game, Trent Killam got an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk and Kellen Glover slapped a single to right to drive in Killam with the game-ending run.

Mike Jacks pitched all four innings for Knoxville, allowing the Trojans only one hit. The doubleheader sweep pushed the Panthers over the .500 mark for the season at 13-12; Knoxville is now 8-6 in conference play.