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A five-run fourth inning proved to be the difference between the Indianola and Pella baseball teams Friday night, as the Indians downed the Dutch 5-3 in a game heard live on 94.3 KNIA and on the Pella Dutch Live YouTube channel.

Pella grabbed the early advantage over Indianola in the bottom of the first inning with an Isaiah Kettler RBI single and a run from Caleb Stewart, who reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on two errors. The two teams traded scoreless frames in the second and third before Indianola made their mark in the fourth inning. Andrew DeWall doubled to start the inning and his courtesy runner Ryker Burgin scored the Indians first run on a balk. Indianola then loaded the bases and Cooper Belt cleared them with a triple to right centerfield. Belt added the Indians final run on the next at-bat when Luke Rockhold singled him home. Pella got a run back in the bottom of the seventh, but a game-ending double play sealed the deal for Indianola. DeWall notched the win on the mound, striking out nine while allowing just two hits, four walks, and two unearned runs in six innings of work. Nathan Vandelune took the loss for the Dutch, giving up six hits, one walk, and five runs (one earned) in four innings pitched, while striking out three.

Indianola improved to 7-6 on the year and 1-2 in the Little Hawkeye Conference, while Pella dropped to 5-5 overall and 2-1 in the league. The Indians are back in action today at the Martensdale-St. Mary’s tournament at 10 a.m. The Dutch have the weekend off, returning to the diamond Monday for a conference doubleheader at Class 4A #10 ranked Dallas Center-Grimes.