A pivotal sixth inning broke a scoreless showdown between the Pella Christian and Newton softball teams on Friday night, as the Lady Eagles found themselves on the short end of a 2-0 shut-out.  Both pitchers poured in top-notch performances, each giving up just one hit.  
Lady Eagles’ hurler Paige Blom went the distance, striking out four and walking four; but also allowed two Newton batters to reach first base when they were hit by a pitch.  Those base runners proved to be the winning runs, as the Cardinals’ only hit scored the two unearned runs of the game.  Blom had Pella Christian’s only hit.  
The loss is a bit of a set-back in the Little Hawkeye Conference race for the Lady Eagles, who now sit at 7-4 in league play.  They are 13-7 overall.