In a varsity doubleheader on Monday night, Knoxville Baseball’s pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts in two games, winning 7-3 in the first game and 11-4 in the second as they defeated Albia. In order to gain offensive control in both games, Knoxville also recorded a strong inning. While Lincoln Norris did his damage at the plate with two singles and two RBI in game one, Kyler Gifford recorded eight strikeouts, including his 100th career K, and gave up just six hits. With four runs in the seventh, Knoxville blew open a close game, and Roston McCarty also drove in two. After falling behind the Blue Demons 4-2, Knoxville rallied for nine runs in the sixth inning of the nightcap. In addition, Brenden Woolsey’s pitching helped the Panthers win; in five innings of relief work, he struck out nine Albia batters and gave up just four hits. Jesson Ferguson went 2/3, Luke Roozeboom was 2/4, and Norris was 2/5. In that area, Grant DeMoss and Briar Kingery led with two runs each. As of right now, Knoxville is 13-5 and 18-10 in the South Central Conference. Clarke will visit Knoxville tonight on Panther Drive.
