A nearly two-hour break for lightning didn’t upend the Pella softball team on its way to a 20th win in the 2025 season, with the Dutch defeating conference foe Newton 5-0 in the regional playoffs, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS and the KRLS3 stream on Thursday.

The two teams clashed for the fourth time this season after Pella swept the regular three-game series, albeit by a narrow margin in game three. And unlike that June 18th game, the home team struck first, scoring three runs in the 1st inning, aided by a Newton throwing error. An RBI double in the 3rd inning by Katie Scheckel and another tally in that frame was more than enough for Emma Eekhoff in the circle. The senior struck out seven batters, giving up just two hits, even with a new battery mate as Mallory Doschadis filled in for the injured Lucy Carlson.

Eekhoff Full Interview:

Leileigh Hammons gave up just one earned run out of the five allowed for Newton. Riley Parks added two runs batted in and Avery Parks reached base three times, scoring twice.

Pella earned its 20th win of the summer and is traveling to #5 in 4A Carlisle this Saturday for the regional semifinals. Listen live on 92.1 KRLS at 6:45 p.m.