A long journey to a first conference win came to fruition as the Pella softball team defeated Newton 7-5 Monday night, in game two of a doubleheader heard live on 92.1 KRLS. It was part of a twin bill split at Pella High School, as the Cardinals knocked off the Lady Dutch 4-1 in game one and the Pella baseball team won 8-0 and lost 12-0 against Newton.

After 14 straight losses in 2021 to the deep Little Hawkeye Conference, the girls of summer in green and white struck first in the nightcap of a doubleheader against Newton. A pair of two-out errors defensively allowed the Cardinals to score three runs in the top of the 3rd. After scratching out a tally in the bottom of the 3rd, Pella mustered a two-out rally and put up a five-spot in the bottom of the 4th, keyed by a two-out, two-run double by Kylie Tauke to take the lead.

Ella Corbin and the Lady Dutch defense held off the Cardinals, with the road team leaving the tying run on base in the 6th and 7th innings. Corbin was excited to see weeks of frustration lift off the shoulders of the team in victory.

Corbin was 2-for-2 from the plate in the effort. Pella moves to 3-21 overall and 1-14 in league play, and next hosts Oskaloosa Wednesday evening.

The Pella baseball team dominated the first matchup with the Cardinals, cruising to a win behind excellent pitching from Mason Wittmer — who earned his fourth victory as a starter, and a strong offensive performance. The opposite rang true in game two, as the Dutch were tee’d up to the tune of eight runs in the first two innings by Newton batters.

Pella is 12-9 overall and 7-7 against league foes. They next host Winterset this evening at 7:15 p.m.