The Pella and Pella Christian softball teams earned a hard-fought split in the first meeting between the two clubs Monday night. The day started with a 7 – 6 victory for the Eagles that was a back-and-forth affair. Pella Christian got to Lady Dutch hurler, Bri Arkema early for three runs. Pella did not lie down, however, scoring one in their half of the first, third, and then three more in the fourth to take a 5 – 3 lead. Tessa Howerzyl answered back in the sixth; already scoring one run in the inning to lessen the gap, Howerzyl knocked Arkema out of the game with a towering drive to left-center up and over the wall to drive in three runs and give her team the lead for good. Coach Nate Van Wyk said after the game that the early aggressiveness in counts paid off for his team. The Eagles’ catcher also had a double that game, Lauren Jungling added an RBI for Pella Christian. Allie DeMeulenaere and Morgan Ernst each were 2-for-3 at the plate, with Ernst driving in two in the game. The nightcap was dominated by Pella freshman pitcher, Elyse Sadler, who went the distance only giving up three hits and walking none. Ernst provided what turned out to be the game-winning blast in the first inning, with an RBI triple. Arkema added an RBI single that inning to help pad the lead. Coach Krista DeMeulenaere said that Sadler had an all-around great game. Pella sits with a 4 – 7 record and Pella Christian is 5 – 7 – 1. The Lady Dutch head to Knoxville Wednesday for one game, and the Eagles have a tough task with Norwalk, which also takes place tomorrow.