The old saying may be “Survive and Advance” but the Pella Christian softball team was doing more than just surviving last night, as they shocked No. 11 ranked Van Meter in the quarterfinal round of a class 2A regional with a 13-2 drubbing in five innings.
As heard on 92.1 KRLS, the Eagles wasted no time in getting the offense going plating three runs in the top of the first including a RBI single by Natalie Harrill and a two RBI knock by Ivy Terpstra. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom half, but the big blow came in the third when the Eagles sent 11 batters to the plate to cash in on six runs. Patience was the name of the game, as six Pella Christian batters walked in the inning to only one hit coming from Sierra Pleima. The exclamation point came in the fifth when Terpstra had a bases clearing three RBI double that led to the mercy rule win. Terpstra finished with two hits and five runs knocked in. Sophie Howerzyl added a pair of hits and a walk. Head Coach Karen Harrill tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the team took advantage of the tight strikezone and was willing to take their walks. The Bulldogs led the entire state in numerous offensive categories, but Cheyanne Collins and Danielle Vande Voort had their number, teaming up to just allow three hits and two runs.
Pella Christian keeps their season alive to improve to 12-23 and will look for revenge against area school Pleasantville on Friday in the semifinal regional round. The Trojans outlasted the Eagles 10-6 on opening night of the season back in May. All of the action on Friday night came be heard on 92.1 KRLS starting at 7 p.m.