Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

While their results in Little Hawkeye Conference play weren’t what they were hoping for, the Pella Christian baseball team was still among the league leaders in several stat categories this summer.

As a team, the Eagles finished in a three way tie for the conference lead with eight triples, matching the marks of Dallas Center-Grimes and Indianola. Pella Christian also finished third in several team stats including home runs (7), strikeouts (251), and thrown out stealing (10), while also tying for third with Newton in hit by pitches (44). Individually, the Eagles had seven players finish in the top five of different stat categories this summer.

Caleb Van Arendonk led the way among Pella Christian’s stat leaders, claiming five spots on the leaderboards. The senior was tied for the most triples (4), third in slugging percentage (.619), fourth in doubles (13), and fifth in on base percentage (.464) and walks (18). Grant Kelderman finished fourth among league pitchers in strikeouts (63), while Connor Van Zee was fifth in strikeouts (54) and fourth in fielding percentage (.987). Trevor Veenstra finished second in hits allowed this season (10), while also coming in fourth in the conference in runs allowed (8) and earned runs allowed (6). Luke Fynaardt posted the second lowest strikeout mark at the plate in the league this summer, striking out just nine times in 104 at-bats. Ethan Van Arendonk wrapped up the Eagles conference leaders, finishing second in sacrifice bunts with seven on the year. 

The Pella Christian baseball team finished the season with a 14-21 record and graduate seven seniors from this year’s team.