After giving up one run to begin the game, the Pella High softball team scored 11 unanswered against Marion, highlighted by a seven-run first inning, to advance to their first ever state softball tournament.

The Lady Dutch prevailed 11 – 1 in five innings, with the game-winner being a safety squeeze by Kinzi Van Wyk with Hannah Emmert at third base. Coach Krista DeMuelenaere says that she was confident her team would stay tough if they got out of the first inning allowing limited damage.

Elyse Sadler was the winning pitcher, throwing five innings, allowing one run on four hits. She also came up with a bases-clearing double in that seven-run first frame. Sadler says it’s been a goal for her to get to Fort Dodge.

“Wow, it’s been my dream since I’ve played softball,” Sadler says. “To go to state in high school. It’s just a great feeling.”

Centerfielder, Sara Tallman, says her feet haven’t even touched the ground yet.

“I don’t think it’ll settle in until we get to warm-ups for our first game,” Tallman said. “Even riding up, I’m going to be like ‘I think we’re taking a road trip, we could be going anywhere right now.’ That’s probably what I’ll be thinking.”

Pella improves to 21 – 13, and they are off until Monday to begin their tournament run against Fort Dodge in round one at 5:00 p.m.