The eighth-seeded Pella Christian baseball team will square off with top-seeded Beckman Catholic for the first time in the Bound era when they kick-off the Class 2A State Tournament on Tuesday.

Winning the River Valley – North Conference this season, the Trailblazers went 22-9 overall and 11-1 in their league. Much like the Eagles, Beckman Catholic played one of the most difficult schedules in Class 2A. Pella Christian had the 60th toughest schedule in the state according to Bound, the toughest of any team in 2A, while the Trailblazers’ 65th ranked schedule was second in the class. 

Beckman Catholic statistically has one of the best defenses in the state. Among Class 2A, the Trailblazers are first in fielding percentage with a .956, tied for second in fewest errors at 39, and fifth in assists with 243. In all classes, Beckman is tied for sixth in fewest errors committed and tied for tenth in fielding percentage. Meanwhile, Pella Christian holds a top five mark in all three phases of the game in 2A. The Eagles are second in strikeouts with 292, tied for fourth in triples with 12, and fifth in putouts with 677.

The Trailblazers and Pella Christian each have two individuals that hold top five spots in different stat categories in Class 2A. Beckman’s Nate Offerman is tied for first in the class with nine wins on the mound, while Dylan Recker is fifth in assists with 67. Eagles’ senior Corbin Westerkamp is first in pitching starts with 14, third in strikeouts with 104, tied for fourth in wins with eight, and fifth in stolen bases with 35 and innings pitched with 60.1. Additionally, Pella Christian senior Lincoln Vander Molen is fourth in innings pitched with 61 and tied for four in pitching appearances with 14.

To get to State, the Trailblazers defeated the fifth through third place finishing teams in their conference in each round of substate. In the quarterfinals of Class 2A Substate 4, Beckman defeated Northeast 10-0 in five innings, before posting another run-rule victory over Camanche 11-1 in the semifinals. In the game to go to State, the Trailblazers down Anamosa 8-2.

Pella Christian and Beckman Catholic face off Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. at Merchants Park in Carroll, and the game can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS beginning with pregame coverage around 10:45 a.m.