Caleb Stewart’s fourth-inning bases clearing double helped Pella overcome being outhit 7-2, propelling the Dutch to a 5-3 baseball win over Pella Christian heard live on the KRLS3 stream at KNIAKRLS.com. 

The Eagles started the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the third inning, when Eliot Menninga singled home Corbin Westerkamp and Lincoln Vander Molen scored on a double play. After two walks and a hit by pitch in the top of the fourth, Stewart roped a double to left field to give Pella the 3-2 lead. The Dutch lead grew to 4-2 in the fifth when Rex Rhamy scored on a wild pitch, and was extended to 5-2 in the seventh as Jack Howard was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Eagles pulled within one in the bottom of the seventh when Westerkamp scored on a Menninga ground out, but Pella recorded the final out a batter later to win the season series. 

Samuel Carlson and Tate Weesner combined to strike out eight for the Dutch, with Weesner taking the win in four innings of relief. The Pella hurlers gave up just three runs on seven hits, three walks, and three hit batsmen. Westerkamp took the loss for Pella Christian, with Grant Kelderman and Brecken Ritzert also throwing in relief. The three Eagles pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts, while allowing five runs on two hits, ten walks, and five hit by pitches.

After the win, Caleb Stewart said he was thrilled to be able to grab the season series over Pella’s crosstown rival.

“It’s always great to come in and beat P.C., especially to finish the series at their place. It’s always fun to play against P.C., guys you’ve grown up knowing and stuff like that.”

Pella Christian head coach Chris Fynaardt was pleased with his squad’s start, but said that walks came back to haunt them in the loss.

“We came out putting the ball in play for the most part. Got a couple runs early and when you’ve got Corbin pitching, you’re hoping that’s enough, but just too many free bases did us in.”

Pella improved to 18-10 overall and 12-6 in the Little Hawkeye Conference, while Pella Christian fell to 15-14 overall and 7-12 in the league. The Dutch are back in action tonight with a 7:30 p.m. road game at North Polk, while the Eagles host Norwalk on Wednesday in a 5:30 p.m. conference doubleheader to wrap up the regular season.