The Pella softball team defeated Pella Christian 5-3 in a weather-shortened game that was broadcast live on the KRLS2 feed on Monday night, securing the season series with timely hits and two deep balls.
Avery Parks drew a walk, Lucy Carlson singled him to second base, and Elah Hiemstra singled him to score, giving the Dutch the lead in the top of the first inning. Amaia Agre recorded a single, advanced to third on consecutive walks, and scored on a single by Brynn Roozeboom as the Eagles responded in the bottom of the frame to level the game at one. Madison Keske’s solo homer to centerfield in the top of the second gave Pella the lead again, and Katie Scheckel’s second Hiemstra single in the third inning gave them a 3-1 advantage. Agre scored on a Dutch throwing mistake off Faith Kacmarynski’s bat, and Roozeboom batted in courtesy of runner Nora Van Arendonk to tie the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the third, so Pella Christian didn’t have to trail for long. Carlson singled home Parks in the fourth inning to give Pella the lead again, and Emma Eekhoff finished the scoring with a solo homer to centerfield in the sixth. Abigail Melvin led off the period with a single heading into the seventh and final inning, however lightning struck the region and the game was called.
In addition to Hiemstra and Carlson scoring three of the five runs batted in, Carlson, Hiemstra, and Melvin each recorded two hits for the Dutch in the victory. Roozeboom went 2-3 with two RBIs to lead the Eagles’ attack. As playoff play draws near, Carlson said she thinks Pella is beginning to settle in, and Monday night proved it.
We’re playing together more, we’re getting into the swing of things, and I believe that as the season has progressed, we’ve begun to get to know one another better. Since we obviously don’t have the same group as last year, it’s beneficial to settle in, strengthen team ties, and spend time together. We spend every day with one other, so it’s nice to be able to demonstrate that on the field.
After the victory, Pella Christian dropped to 7-12 overall and 3-11 in the Little Hawkeye Conference, while Pella improved to 13-10 overall and 8-6 in the conference. Tonight’s games will see the Eagles host Pleasantville at 7:15 p.m. while the Dutch return to action at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at 7:30 p.m.