Lincoln Norris gave the Panthers a 4-1 victory in extra innings, which were broadcast live on 92.1 KRLS, after the Knoxville and Pella Christian baseball teams played to the end on Thursday at the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville.
At the location of the famous 1989 film, Grant Kelderman of the Eagles and Kyler Gifford of Knoxville took center stage as the two right-handers engaged their teams in a pitcher’s duel for the majority of the evening. Eliot Menninga singled, advanced to second on a Grant Kelderman single, and scored on a Conor Van Zee single to give Pella Christian the game’s first run in the top of the sixth inning after the first five innings went scoreless. After recovering and ending the inning, the Panthers responded in the bottom of the seventh inning when Luke Roozeboom stole second base, advanced to third on a wild pitch, scored on a Gifford single, and drew a lead off walk. In the extra eighth inning, Knoxville’s attack finally settled into a rhythm after seven innings failed to break the 1-1 stalemate. Roozeboom moved Brenden Woolsey to third after he took a one-out walk, and Lincoln Norris fulfilled the ultimate goal at the Field of Dreams by hitting a three-run walk-off homer to left field.
Gifford struck out six batters while giving up just one run on five hits and two walks, securing Knoxville’s victory on the mound for the entire game. After striking out 14 batters in 6.1 innings and giving up just one run on five hits and four walks, Kelderman was given a no-decision for the Eagles. In 1.1 innings of relief work, Conor Van Zee gave up three runs on three hits, one walk, and one strikeout, resulting in the loss for Pella Christian. With the victory, the Panthers moved up to 11-6 overall, while the Eagles dropped to 5-16 for the season.
Tonight’s schedule includes a home doubleheader between Knoxville and Centerville at 5 p.m. and a single non-conference game between Pella Christian and Des Moines Christian at 7 p.m.
