The #8 ranked Pella Christian softball team used a big middle inning push to grab a 5-3 victory over Grinnell in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS, while the Eagles baseball squad’s late inning rally fell short against the Tigers in 3-2 extra innings loss.
In their fifth game in four days, the Pella Christian softball team faced an early 1-0 deficit following a solo home run by the Tigers in the top of the first inning. The Eagles tied the game in the bottom of the third inning as Emri Agre singles, stole two bases and scored, before Natalie Harrill gave P.C their first lead of the game on a bases loaded single by Brynn Roozeboom. The Eagles would extend that lead as a pair of walks by Amaia and Emri Agre led to a two-RBI double from Faith Kacmarynski. Kacmarynski would then score on an error off the bat of Emma Eekhoff to push the Eagles advantage to 5-1. Grinnell would manage to plate two more runs on a two-run homer in the fifth inning and brought the game tying run to the plate three times in the top of the seventh before Pella Christian would slam the door to pick up the win. Pitcher Alexa Dunsbergen grabbed her third victory of the season while scattering five hits over her seven innings of work and striking out four including the final out. Dunsbergen said that it was a great feeling to strikeout the final batter but credited her teammates and Claire Westerkamp specifically for putting her in that position.
“It felt really good, but I really have to give it to Claire Westerkamp because she sat up perfectly and that’s why he called the strike. So yeah, it’s really just a team effort right there.”
The Pella Christian baseball hosted Class 3A’s #3 ranked Grinnell squad and fell behind 2-0 in the second inning. Following three scoreless innings, the Eagles would tie things up in the bottom of the sixth inning with run scoring single from Bennett Spronk and a run scoring fielder’s choice off the bat of Lincoln Vander Molen. The game would go into the ninth inning before the Tigers would push across the eventual game winning run. Despite the loss, Pella Christian got great pitching performances by Micah DeHaan and Bennett Spronk. The seniors combined to strike out 14, while giving up just nine hits and two earned runs.
The Eagles softball team’s record improved to 5-4 overall and 1-3 in Little Hawkeye Conference play, while the baseball team is now 3-4 overall and 0-4 in conference. Both teams wrap up the week today with weekend tournaments. The softball team’s tournament is at Lacey Sports Complex in Oskaloosa, while the baseball team competes at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.