An eight-run outburst in the fifth inning broke a tie game wide open, and the Pella softball team snuffed out a last-gasp attempt at a comeback by Grinnell on their way to a 12-4 victory in Saturday’s Regional Tournament opener.  

With the score at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning, an RBI single by Mandy DeMeulenaere started the scoring for the Lady Dutch; but it was the following hit – a three run home run by Mackenzie Anthony – that  shifted all the momentum to the Pella dugout.  By the time the inning was finished, Pella had racked up six hits and every batter reached first base.  

In all, the Lady Dutch put up 13 hits, while Grinnell showed some offensive muscle of their own with 10 hits.  Nearly a third of Pella’s hits came from designated player Bri Arkema, who was 4-for-5 with four singles.  Whitney Williams was 3-for-4 with a triple, scored twice, and batted in two runs; with two of her hits coming in the decisive fifth inning.  

Pitcher Mandy DeMeulenaere threw all seven innings, needing just 80 pitches to dispatch the Tigers; striking out two Grinnell batters and walking just one.  

Up next for the Lady Dutch is Washington, who defeated Williamsburg 7-6 on Saturday night.  The Class 3A Regional Semifinal game will be Monday at 7:00 p.m. at the Pella High School softball field.