The Pella Christian and Norwalk baseball squads will square off tonight for the second time this season, but this time in a doubleheader. The two teams’ first meeting this summer was at Norwalk back on May 23rd to open Little Hawkeye Conference play. 

In last month’s game, the Warriors grabbed the early advantage with a run-scoring fielder’s choice in the bottom of the second inning. The Eagles tied the game in the fifth inning on a solo home run to left field that ultimately sent the game to extra innings. In the eighth inning, Pella Christian took advantage of their new-found life to plate four runs, while the Warriors added just one run in the bottom of the frame in a 5-2 Pella Christian win. Since May 23rd, the Warriors and Eagles have gone in opposite directions. Norwalk was 2-3 after losing to Pella Christian but have followed that up by going 10-6 in their last 16 games. The Eagles, who were 2-0 at the time, have won just two of their 11 games since May 23rd. Eagles senior Bennett Spronk says that despite their recent results, the team is focusing on staying positive.

“One thing that I think we strive for as leaders, especially the seniors, is just keep bringing the positive energy every single day. Whether that’s practice or a game, it’s a lot easier for a lot of these younger guys who are adjusting to the varsity level to get down on themselves and feel like they’re disappointing the team when they mess up and stuff like that. But I think one of the key things that we have to keep doing is just bring the positive energy, and just supporting all the guys.”

Tonight’s Little Hawkeye Conference doubleheader between Norwalk and Pella Christian begins at 5:30 p.m. The second game of the doubleheader can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS beginning with pregame coverage starting around 7:15 p.m.