Opening day was kind to the Pella Lady Dutch Softball team in a 5-1 win on the road against Ballard.

Senior Kinzi Van Wyk had a stellar start to her final season both on offense and in the pitcher’s circle, going 3 for 4 with an opening day home run and double at the plate and tossing six dominating innings, with six strikeouts and one earned run. Junior Maddie Parks collected two hits, stole a base, and scored twice as well.

However, the boys of summer were not as fortunate, dropping their opener at Carlisle 10-0 in five innings. The Little Dutch could not find any traction on offense, mustering just three base runners against the Wildcats, with Carlisle hitter unloading on Pella’s pitchers.

The Lady Dutch are back in action Thursday when they host Lynnville-Sully, while the Dutch baseball team is a home Wednesday against Bondurant-Farrar.