If the Pella softball team will find success in a Little Hawkeye Conference loaded with state quality opponents, they will need to see growth from two young pitchers shouldering the load in the shortened summer season.

Head Coach Teresa Thompson says with an offseason surgery to returning senior starter Ally Almond, Sophomore Ella Corbin and Freshman Taylor Tousey will have to take their respective pitching to the next level to allow the Lady Dutch to stay competitive.

Corbin showed flashes of success in her freshman season, starting in four games and pitching seven overall, racking up 24 innings of experience. Thompson is unsure if Almond will be able to return yet to the circle — if she can, she provides needed experience, as she struck out 16 batters in 22 ⅓ innings with a 2.82 ERA last summer. Tousey was the key pitcher of the JV team last year.

Pella’s opening softball broadcast comes when they take on Pella Christian on Wednesday, June 17th on the KRLS3 stream.