A busy week to open the new summer season concluded with a Saturday split for the Pella softball team. The Dutch defeated hosting Lynnville-Sully 13-5 and fell to #9 in 4A North Polk 6-1 in the triangular on the road.

Against the hosting Hawks, Pella tallied their 13 runs on just nine hits. Katie Scheckel hit her second home run of the season in as many days, Payton Lyons had two runs batted in on a pair of hits, and Ava Curry was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Saige DeJong gave up five runs — none earned, in the five inning victory.

The Comets were paced against the Dutch with a dominant performance by Ava Husak, who struck out a dozen Dutch batters and allowed just one earned run and four hits total. Avery Parks gave up two earned runs in five innings of relief while the Dutch committed five total defensive errors.

Pella is 3-2 and joins the baseball team on the road to Gilbert Tuesday.

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Emily Blom participated in the 1A State Singles Tournament for the third consecutive season, and on Saturday, finished in 4th. Blom entered the tournament as the four seed. In the semifinals, Emily was unable to keep pace with eventual Champion Sophia Fain (Columbus) in the semifinal match, losing 0-6, 0-6. Blom fought hard but fell in the 3rd place match 1-6, 3-6 to Catherine Straus (Spirit Lake).

Alloree Else and Lily VanDusseldorp were first-time qualifiers in the 1A State Doubles Tournament. In their first match on Friday, they battled closely with Abbie Oleson and Taylor Schneider (Spirit Lake). After losing the first set 3-6, the Dutch duo held a 5-2 lead in the second set, but were unable to hold off a late charge, losing the set 5-7. Else and VanDusseldorp never quite found a rhythm in their second match and their tournament ended with a 3-6. 3-6 loss to Brooke Brown and Avery Walter (Clarinda).

Pella will play in the Team State Semifinals on Tuesday, May 30.