Capping off the regular season in dramatic fashion, senior Tysen De Vries came through in the clutch with an RBI single to give the Pella Christian baseball team a 1-0 senior night victory over Moravia Tuesday night.

Helping fuel the late game dramatics between the Eagles and Mohawks, was dominant pitching and strong defensive play from both teams. Moravia had their best opportunity to get on the scoreboard, loading the bases in the bottom of the second inning, but a lineout to centerfield and strong throw home by Ethan Van Arendonk resulted in an inning-ending double play. Pella Christian put two runners on the bases in the first, third, and sixth innings, but couldn’t find holes in the Mohawks defense, leading to the late game scoreless tie. In the bottom of the seventh, Brecken Ritzert singled to left field with one out, then advanced to second on a fielding error by the left fielder. After Ritzert advanced to third on a ground out, Tysen De Vries came through with the game-winning single through the left side of the infield to record his second walk-off hit of the season. After their original senior night nearly didn’t happen due to Tuesday’s rainout, Eagles head coach Chris Fynaardt said it was great to give the seniors a memorable send-off in the final home game.

“It was just a fun night all the way around. Trae Van Mannen, I think it might have been his first start in right field or maybe his second, makes two diving catches out there. Isaiah, in his first at bat gets a single. I mean, every senior that played tonight had a part of this win. You know, Tysen hits the walk-off hit, so that’s why you want to play senior night. It gives them something to remember and they’re going to remember this for the rest of their life.”

On the mound for Pella Christian, starter Luke Fynaardt allowed no runs on five hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Conor Van Zee threw the final 3.2 innings of scoreless baseball for the Eagles, while striking out two and allowing just two hits. 

Pella Christian finishes the regular season with a 13-20 overall record and will begin postseason play at Des Moines Christian on Tuesday, taking on the winner of Saturday’s first-round contest between Albia and Central Decatur.