It’s not often a team commits six errors and eight runs and wins via the mercy rule, but two huge offensive innings for Pella was enough for the Dutch to win 18-8 in a six-inning game at Saydel Tuesday night.

Pella opened on fire, scoring 8 runs and chasing Eagles starter L Carney after one out, racking up eight hits and two walks. But the Pella bats went silent and the Dutch defense was erratic, and allowed the home team to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth after giving up multiple runs in the bottom of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th to Saydel.

The Dutch would answer in a big way in the 6th, taking advantage of Saydel miscues to get the bats fired up again, scoring 10 runs. Mason Wittmer and Clayton Cummings combined to get the final three outs.

Jason Knox finished 3-for-5 from the plate with a triple and two runs batted in, Aidan Pollock was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI, and all Dutch batters reached base at least once via hits or walks. Pella improves to 8-9 overall and will host No. 8 ranked Ballard tonight for a single varsity game — hear it live on 92.1 KRLS at 7:15 p.m.

The Pella softball team is trying to bounce back against the only conference team they’ve won against so far this season, as they return to Newton for a varsity contest tonight. Head Coach Teresa Thompson says the team has to believe they can repeat the success they had at game one, but also be prepared for a better challenge as the Cardinals have grown since that matchup.

Pella is seeking their 3rd win of the softball season, and defeated Newton 9-4 on the road on June 24th.