Just three days after their meeting in the regular season finale, the Pella High and Centerville baseball teams will take to the diamond against each other yet again – this time with their respective seasons on the line.  

The Little Dutch face the Big Red for the fourth game this season in tonight’s Class 3A District Tournament opener, with the memory of Tuesday night’s 7-5 loss in Centerville still very fresh in their minds.  The two teams also split a doubleheader against each other in early June; so to say Pella’s opponent tonight is a familiar one would be an understatement.  

Little Dutch head coach Al Vasher says both teams should be well-prepared, but he likes his team’s odds to come out with a victory.

“Centerville probably feels like they’re pretty prepared for us.  We’re pretty sure who we’re going to see on the mound, and my guess is they know probably within one or two guys who they’re going to see on the mound.  It’s just going to come down to execution and confidence, and our kids are going to have to play with enthusiasm and believe in themselves,” said Vasher.  

“We feel like we’re going to put the right pitcher on the mound to do that for us, and if we put the ball in play and score some runs, then we feel like we’ve got as good of a shot of winning this game as anybody.”

The Little Dutch enter the tournament with a 17-16 overall record, while the Big Red are 21-16 on the year.  Opening pitch of the Class 3A District Tournament opener between Pella High and Centerville is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. tonight at the Knoxville High School baseball field.  You can hear the live call on 92.1 fm KRLS with Eric Gotschall and Chad Whitten providing the play-by-play.