Despite outhitting Carlisle, errors hurt the Pella Christian baseball team in a 9-2 loss in their home opener Friday Night.

After a scoreless first inning, the Wildcats pounced on the Eagles with a five-run frame in the top of the second inning. The Eagles got a run back in the bottom of the third as Corbin Westerkamp scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Collin Vander Wal. Westerkamp added Pella Christian’s other run in the fifth inning on a Caleb Van Arendonk single to right field. Carlisle scored their nine runs on seven hits, and six Eagles’ errors. With many new faces in the field, Pella Christian head coach Chris Fynaardt is confident the defense will continue to improve as the season progresses.

“We’re still kind of figuring out some stuff. We’ve got a lot of positions I think we’ve kind of got a good idea of who’s gonna be playing where. Overall, on defense we’re finding our way, but it’ll come together. I have confidence in it.”

Lincoln Vander Molen was saddled with the loss, pitching 4.2 innings while allowing four hits, five walks, and six unearned runs. Fresh off of winning a State Title in the Discus Friday afternoon, Trevor Veenstra pitched 1.1 innings of relief and gave up two unearned runs on a hit and a walk. Luke Fynaardt finished the game on the mound, throwing an inning and giving up two hits, two walks, and an unearned run. 

Pella Christian dropped to 1-1 on the season, and they’ll look to bounce back on Monday with the first of four games next week with a home contest against Grinnell.