Fairfield boys defeat Pella in regular season finale

The Fairfield baseball team ended the regular season Tuesday with a bang, toppling Pella 7-1.

The Trojans wasted no time jumping on the visitors as they scored five runs in the first inning. Spencer Peterman and Joseph Hietpas coaxed walks to begin the inning. Mason Ellis walked. Peterman and Hietpas scored when Kooper Dahlstrom reached on the shortstop?s throwing error.

Austin Gridley came to bat and knocked the first pitch he saw over the fence for a three-run homer.

In the fifth, Josh Dimmitt singled, advanced to third on a double by Ellis and scored on Dahlstrom?s single. Ellis scored on the same play when the pitcher committed a throwing error.

Gridley worked his magic not only at the plate but also from the pitching rubber. Gridley threw 5.2 innings to get the ?W,? giving up one unearned run on two hits, two walks, one hit batter and seven Ks. Peterman pitched 0.1 innings and allowed a walk. Ryan Gaumer threw one inning, walking a batter, hitting a batter and striking out two.

?This was a very solid way to end the regular season,? said Trojan coach Josh Allison. ?We played good defense. Grid, Pete, and Gaum all threw well, and we had some timely hits. Kooper had a big RBI night driving in four while Grid drove in three. Darrin made a couple of nice running catches out in centerfield with Narendra and Tyler leading the way on the infield.?

Allison said the Trojans now have to focus on starting over with a new record.

?We've played well up to this point, but those games are all in the past and we will be ready for one game at a time as we make a push to the state tournament,? ?I feel we are peaking at the right time and playing great team baseball. I believe these boys are ready for the challenge that lies ahead.?