Pella Christian baseball continues postseason action tonight at Des Moines Christian | KNIA KRLS Radio

Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

Seeking their second state tournament berth in as many years, the Pella Christian baseball team will face No. 2 Des Moines Christian tonight in the Class 2A Substate 6 semifinals.

For the second year in a row, the Eagles will face one of the top two teams in 2A on the road to Carroll. A season ago, Pella Christian defeated top-ranked Van Meter in the substate final to qualify for the state tournament for the first time since 1994. To repeat that feat and get within one game of a return trip to Carroll, the Eagles will look to avenge a 10-0 loss to Des Moines Christian on May 24. Pella Christian head coach Chris Fynaardt says that while the Lions won this contest earlier in the season, his team just needs to focus on playing its best tonight.

“We talked about it last night in practice, just don’t look at the scoreboard. Focus on what you need to do every at-bat. Don’t worry about whether we’re ahead or behind. If I tell you to bunt, if I tell you to do a hit and run, do your best to get it done. Just do what you can. I mean, it doesn’t matter if you’re up 10-0 or down 10-0, just do what you need to do and make things happen. So that’s the same message and ultimately the kids just have to play.”

Coverage of the Class 2A Substate 6 semifinal game at Des Moines Christian High School between the Eagles and Lions begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. on 92.1 KRLS.