A seventh inning rally doomed the Pella Christian baseball team in a 7-1 home loss to Class 4A #10 ranked Dallas Center-Grimes Friday night, while the Eagles softball team dropped a run-rule shortened 12-0 decision on Eagle Lane to the 4A #1 ranked Mustangs. 

After DCG got the scoring started in the top of the second inning, the Pella Christian baseball team responded with their lone run of the game in the bottom of the frame. Caleb Van Arendonk led off the bottom of the second with a double, and after advancing to third base on a ground out, the junior scored four pitches later on a wild pitch. Both teams would go scoreless until the seventh inning, when the Mustangs scored six runs on a hit by pitch, four hits, two errors, and a wild pitch. Eliot Menninga suffered the loss in his first career varsity pitching start, giving up seven runs (one earned) on nine hits while striking out two in a complete game effort. With the loss, Pella Christian dropped to 7-3 overall and 2-2 in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

On the softball diamond, the Mustangs wasted no time living up to their #1 ranking, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. DCG added on another five runs in the second inning, before adding their final two runs in the third inning to end the contest early. Claire Braafhart and Brynn Roozeboom were the lone Eagles to reach base in the game, with Braafhart recording a single and Roozeboom drawing a walk. Maddy Van Zee took the loss in the circle, giving up 12 runs (four earned) on nine hits and four walks. Pella Christian’s record fell to 4-6 overall and 0-4 in the league.

Both the Pella Christian baseball and softball teams will try to get back on track today with tournaments in separate locations. The Eagles softball team competes in the Oskaloosa Tournament at 9:15 a.m. today, while the baseball team’s tournament at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont starts at 10 a.m.