Emri Agre scores the eventual game winning run for Pella Christian in the top of the 7th. Photo by Lisa K. Morgan

The 2020 softball playoffs begin today, and two local teams will clash in the Class 2A Region 4 opener. Pella Christian travels to Pleasantville as each will try to advance to Interstate 35 this Wednesday night. The Eagles are 8-8 and the Trojans finished the regular season at 7-10.

Pella Christian starter Cheyanne Collins will have to contain a Pleasantville lineup hitting .344 as a team, and will have to key on Junior Josie Sowers and her .545 batting average, and the powerful McKinneys in the Trojan lineup, as Amber and Mallory have combined for 10 home runs this season.

The Eagles offense is playing well, averaging seven runs per game over their last five, and will try to take advantage of a Pleasantville pitching duo giving up two base runners per inning and over a run per inning.

The two local teams have played 15 times against each other since 2009, with the Eagles winning nine of those and tying in one. Pella Christian knocked off the Trojans on the road in the 2019 playoffs 4-2, snapping a three game losing streak in the series, which included a 12-0 Pleasantville win last year’s season opener.

Pella Christian vs. Pleasantville regional playoff softball can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS, with pregame at 6:45 and first pitch at 7:00.