A big third inning broke the game open for the Pella Christian baseball team Tuesday night, as they cruised to a 21-7 victory in five innings on the road at Centerville.
The Eagles wasted no time grabbing the advantage early in the contest, plating the game’s first two runs in the top of the first inning. Pella Christian tacked on four more runs in the top of the second, which helped them maintain the lead after Centerville scored five runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the advantage to 6-5. The Eagles regained control in the third inning by adding on nine runs to go ahead 15-5. The Big Reds scored two runs in the bottom of the third to pull back within eight, but Pella Christian plated another six runs over the final two frames to secure the run-rule win and improve their record to 4-11 overall.
Brecken Ritzert led the high-scoring Eagles’ offensive attack, going 3-3 at the plate with two walks, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Grant Kelderman and Connor Van Zee each went 2-4 with a walk on the night, with Kelderman also recording two RBIs and three runs scored and Van Zee batting in four runs. In addition to his production offensively, Van Zee also struck out seven in recording the complete game win on the mound, while allowing just four earned runs on nine hits and four walks.
Both Pella Christian summer sports squads return to Little Hawkeye Conference action to host Indianola in a pair of doubleheaders, with baseball starting at 5 pm and softball slated to begin at 5:30 pm. Game two of the baseball twinbill can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS, while the second game of the softball doubleheader can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA.
