Despite a strong defensive effort, the Knoxville softball team lost to Albia on the road Monday night in a South Central Conference game that was broadcast live on 95.3 KNIA.
In a pitching duel between Albia’s Grace Pence and Knoxville’s Jordyn Counts, the Panthers lost 2-0 to the Lady Dees. Pence’s two RBI double in the third inning gave Albia, who entered the game with a 21-1 overall record, their lone run. Despite giving up eight hits during the game, Counts managed to control a lineup with a.386 team batting average. Her defense also produced a number of outstanding plays to end innings with runners in scoring position.
Following hits by Marlea Cox and Iselyn Prevo, the Panthers had runners on first and second in the seventh inning, but they failed to score and lost the game. Cox contributed two of Knoxville’s four hits throughout the game, while Prevo and Siena Scott provided the other two. Chris Peden, the head coach of Knoxville, tells KNIA Sports that he was pleased with Counts and his defense during the game.
How awesome was that? She goes out there with confidence in both her defense and her pitches. Our main objective for the evening was to go out there and work on that strikeout pitch, and she did just that. Her manner and attitude were excellent, and she took some calls that might not have gone her way. I’m simply proud of the way she played the game. We made a few defensive blunders behind her, and we’re demonstrating once more that we won’t allow those to go out of control. Although it’s clear that we might do better at the plate, Pence is a fantastic pitcher, and I’m really pleased with what we have.
Tonight is senior night for the Panthers, who are now 2-16 on the season and will host Clarke.
