In what became an early season clash between in-town rivals, the Pella and Pella Christian baseball teams split with each other in the first doubleheader of the season. The Eagles claimed game one 5-3, while the Dutch were 4-1 winners in game two.

Pella Christian struck early in the opener, and held off several Pella attempts at coming back.

A Blake Veenstra three-run home run gave the Eagles a 4-0 lead after one, but Pella chipped away, and had the bases loaded with two outs and the potential winning run at first base, but Bennett Spronk was able to get the save on the mound in support of Devin Haveman, who pitched 6 ⅔ innings, striking out 10 with two earned runs.

Pella Head Coach Jeff Bruxvoort liked the way the team rebounded after a rough opening game against Oskaloosa, especially with the success they had in the first inning.

While the Eagles were able to gain the early edge in game two, the home team Dutch were able to erase that lead and take their own quickly with each team combining to score three unearned runs in the 2nd inning. From there, Pella Sophomore Jason Knox dazzled in his first start of the season and third in his career.

The Eagles had little answers for the Little Dutch right-hander, as he allowed just three hits in seven innings, striking out 11 P.C. batters on his way to the complete game victory. Pella Head Coach Jesse Jablonski says Knox showed signs of great potential last year, and after an offseason of hard work, could finish as one of the better pitchers in the Little Hawkeye Conference.

With the split, Pella moves to 3-1 on the season and Pella Christian is 1-2 — all have been Little Hawkeye Conference games so far. The Eagles have an off day until they travel to Norwalk Friday, while Pella will finish a busy week at home tonight against Gilbert. Hear the Little Dutch live on the KRLS3 stream at kniakrls.com at 7:15 p.m.