The Knox Central Panthers will head out to challenge the North Laurel Jaguars at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Knox Central has given up an average of 6.9 runs per game this season, but Saturday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Knox Central fought the good fight in their extra-innings game against Pulaski County on Thursday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Maroons by a score of 12-11. The Panthers have struggled against the Maroons recently, as the game was their third consecutive lost meeting.
Austin Bargo
| 04/15/25 vs Lynn Camp | 3 |
| 04/17/25 @ Pulaski County | 2 |
| 04/09/25 @ Pineville | 2 |
| 04/12/25 vs Karns | 1 |
| 04/02/25 @ Floyd Central | 1 |
| + 3 more games |
Austin Bargo was huge no matter where he played even without the win. He pitched three innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off one hit. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in April of 2024. He was also solid in the batter's box, getting on base in three of his six plate appearances with two runs and one stolen base. He is becoming a predictor of Knox Central's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is 2-1 (and 1-9 when he doesn't).
In other batting news, Brady Engle and Landon Daughtery did some serious damage despite the final result: Engle got on base in four of his six plate appearances with two runs, two RBI, and one double, while Daughtery went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs, and one double. Another player making a difference was Waylon Frazier, who got on base in four of his six plate appearances with three RBI, one run, and one double.
The home team had won the previous four meetings between North Laurel and Madison Southern, and Madison Southern kept the tradition alive. The Jaguars took a 5-1 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Eagles on Thursday. The Jaguars' defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak.
North Laurel saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Cam Hinkle, who went 2-for-3 with one run and one double.
North Laurel now has a losing record of 7-8. As for Knox Central, their record is now 3-10.
North Laurel's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Knox Central has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .432. It's a different story for North Laurel, though, as they've only averaged .335. Will they be able to contain Knox Central's hitters?
Knox Central came up short against North Laurel in their previous matchup back in April of 2024, falling 6-1. Can the Panthers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
