It was the home team that emerged in a tight back-and-forth softball matchup at Pella Middle School on Thursday, with the Dutch girls earning a season sweep over Newton in a 5-4 game heard live on the KRLS2 stream.

The game picked up in the top of the first when it was suspended due to heavy rain on Wednesday, with Newton stranding a runner at third. Pella’s Katie Scheckel ripped a double to left center field to get the scoring started. The Cardinals answered in the top of the third, with an RBI single by Chloe Swank compounded by a Dutch throwing error that allowed the road team to take its first lead over Pella this summer.

The Dutch would tie the game in the bottom of the 5th due to a Cardinal throwing error after a flyout. The Cardinals would score a run to grab the lead back in the top of the 6th with another Dutch response in the other half. Newton would take the lead again in the 7th before giving up a pair of one-out baserunners in the final frame. Ella Hiemstra snuck a line drive just inside the 3rd base bag to score those two to walk off a winner.

Leileigh Hammons kept the Dutch in check despite the loss, giving up four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, adding three hits — including the go-ahead RBI in the 7th. Emma Eekhoff struck out six batters in seven innings, giving up two earned runs in the circle.

Pella improves to 9-8 overall and 7-6 in the conference, welcoming #2 in Class 4A Norwalk to town for a doubleheader this evening. Game two of the twin bill can be heard on 92.1 KRLS and Pella Dutch Live. Newton falls to 6-13 overall and 2-11 in league play and hosts Oskaloosa for a pair of games tonight.