A five-run top of the seventh inning doomed the Pella Christian baseball team in an 11-7 opening night loss to Sigourney Thursday night. 

The Eagles started out strong, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and added another three runs in the second inning to take an early 6-2 lead. Both teams plated a run in the fourth inning, before Sigourney added three runs in top of the fifth to cut Pella Christian’s lead to 7-6. The Eagles held that advantage until the top of the seventh, when the Savages struck for five runs with two outs to take the 11-6 lead. Pella Christian was unable to rally in the bottom of the seventh as they fell to 0-1 overall on the season. Starting pitcher Grant Kelderman took a no-decision on the bump, throwing 4.1 innings and striking out 11, while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and a walk. Brecken Ritzert took the loss in relief, allowing six runs on two hits, six walks, and five strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Ethan Van Arendonk, Luke Fynaardt, and Grant Kelderman each had two hits in the game, with Kelderman providing three of the Eagles six RBIs.

Pella Christian will look to get into the win column tonight with a 7 pm game at Carlisle.