While they were able to close a considerable competitive gap with the No. 3 in 4A Norwalk Warriors, the Pella softball team couldn’t overcome a rough first inning or the Warriors’ elite pitchers in a 4-0 Regional Final loss heard live on 92.1 KRLS Tuesday.

The Dutch gave up what proved to be a crucial grand slam from Lauren Black in the bottom of the 1st inning, which was decisive as the road team went without a hit. Pella largely contained the otherwise high octane offense of the Warriors, scattering the other four hits and only committing one defensive error.

Head Coach Katie Banowetz says the team came a long way from losing to Norwalk by a combined 35-1 margin in three regular season conference games. The Dutch finish the 2024 summer softball season at 22-12, the most wins in the program since their 2015 state tournament team, and say farewell to seniors Ava Curry and Kiki Riggen.