Pella tops Trojans in eighth

Pella broke a 5-5 tie with three runs two-out runs in the top of the eighth inning and handed Fairfield an 8-5 loss Wednesday night.

The Dutch (17-14) rallied from behind twice in the game before finally taking the win in the extra frame.

?I don?t believe in ?good losses,? but that type of game with some pressure packed in will be beneficial for the boys,? said Fairfield head coach Josh Allison. ?With a few games left, we now try to change our mindset to one-game series and start thinking about the tournament process.?

The Trojans (11-22) have two Southeast Conference doubleheaders coming up tonight at Washington and Friday at home vs. Keokuk and the regular-season finale Tuesday at Oskaloosa before opening district play.

Pella?s eighth-inning burst started with two outs and nobody on. Paul Andersen singled in the go-ahead run and an RBI double from Chris Bandstra two batters later made the score 8-5. Bandstra also hit a two-run homer in the top of the first to give the Dutch an early 2-0 lead.

Brock Haines finished 2-4 for the Trojans, which included a double and a two-run homer in the third inning. Brandon Veirs was also 2-4 on the night and drove in Brent Buch to give Fairfield a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Haines was one of four Fairfield pitchers to see action as Josh Dimmitt opened the game with 4 1/3 strong innings. Dimmitt gave up four hits, two earned runs and struck out three before exiting with a 5-4 lead. Austin Gridley and Derek Fishel were also on the mound.

The busy week continues as the Trojans head up to Washington for tonight?s doubleheader against the SEC-leading Demons scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Fairfield vs. Pella

Pella ? 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 3 ? 8 8 1

Fairfield ? 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 ? 5 10 2

FAIRFIELD ? Harwood 1-4; J. Dimmitt 0-4; Veirs 2-4, RBI, R; Haines 2-4, 2B, HR, 2RBI, 2R; Davisson 1-4; Peterman 2-3, RBI, R; Cooksey 0-3, BB; Ellis 0-2; Gridley 0-1; Dahlstrom 0-1; Buch 2-4, RBI, R

Pitching ? J. Dimmitt 4.1 INN, 4H, 3BB, 3K, 2ER; Gridley 2 INN, 1H, 3BB, 4K, ER; Haines (L) 1.1 INN, 2H, BB, 2K, ER; Fishel 0.1 INN 1H, BB, ER