Pella Christian took control early and never let Knoxville in the game as the Eagles defeated the Panthers in baseball action on Thursday 7-1 heard live on 95.3 KNIA. Connor Van Zee had it working on the mound as he held Knoxville to just five hits. The 3rd and 4th innings was where the Eagles broke away scoring two in the 3rd and three in the 4th. Elliot Menninga, Luke Fynaardt, and Brecken Ritzert all collected two hits on the night with Caleb Van Arendonk driving in three runs. Eagles Coach Chris Fynaardt told KNIA/KRLS Sports his team finally got hits with runners in scoring position and Van Zee’s pitching made a good night.

Fynaardt: “Timely hits haven’t been there and tonight we got those hits and made some things happen on the bases. Connor just pitched well and got ahead of hitters and worked quickly. He did a marvelous job tonight.”

Knoxville Coach Turner Devore told KNIA/KRLS Sports it was not a big hit that did in his team, it was little things here and there that are still bothering his group.

Devore: “Some of those little things that bother you. It’s not like they had a big hit with the bases loaded. They just have several hits, we need to do the little things better to win in high school baseball.”

Lincoln Norris and Briar Kingery both went 2/3 on the night. Brenden Woolsey took the loss going four innings and striking out four. Pella Christian is 9-12 on the season and will take on Indianola tonight live on 94.3 KNIA, Knoxville travels to Davis County tonight.