An Eagles’ offensive onslaught kept the pressure on the No. 4 Van Meter Bulldogs, with Pella Christian eventually pulling away and icing a 12-5 Regional Finals win to advance to the state softball tournament, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS Monday evening.

The tournament game was the 5th time under Head Coach Karen Harrill the Eagles had reached the Round of 16, but first time they’ve cracked the ceiling into the Elite 8 since Harrill was an All-State Catcher for the maroon and gold in 1990.

The opening salvo of a three-run home run from her daughter Natalie Harrill–likely an All-State choice in 2021, set the tone for a P.C. lineup that eventually dropped a dozen runs on the scoreboard, and Alexa Dunsbergen and the superb Eagles’ defense behind her had enough tricks to keep the hot-hitting Bulldogs in check and from ever getting a big rally together.

Emri Agre put together 3-for-3, two walk performance and scored four times, while Bailey Roose was also on base four times and tallied that many runs. Dunsbergen earned the win in the circle, and also had a pair of two-run singles in the later innings to keep Van Meter on its heels.

This is the 3rd time since Iowa High School Softball was played in the summer that Pella Christian advanced to the 2A State Tournament; the last two trips were back-to-back appearances in 1989 and 1990. This year’s bracket won’t be determined until late this evening, as one 2A Regional Final was postponed to this evening due to this past weekend’s active weather. Pella Christian will play sometime Monday afternoon or early evening at the Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

Hear highlights from the game and a postgame interview with Anna Bonnett, Roose, and Dunsbergen on the Radio Sports Page this Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Thursday at 10 a.m. on 92.1 KRLS.