Why not us? It’s the question the Pella Softball team keeps asking, and right now, finds satisfying answers to, as the unranked Dutch upended #5 ADM in a 2-1 state semifinals game, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS Wednesday morning.

Much like the opener, it took awhile for either team to find any threats on the bases. Emma Eekhoff gave up a few baserunners in the 2nd inning but left them on and kept the Tigers otherwise off balance again, tallying seven strikeouts.

The Dutch waited until the 5th inning to finally get their tallies on the board after stranding three runners in the first four innings. ADM decided to tempt fate with Eekhoff after Riley Parks made it to second base with two outs. Emma delivered her fourth consecutive game with a massive home run.

ADM would respond with their bottom of the order in the bottom of the 5th, with Aniston Tollari driving in a run on a double — only to be thrown out trying to steal third shortly after. The Tigers would get a baserunner each in the 6th and 7th innings, but neither got by first base.

Pella is playing in its first ever state championship softball game today against a team they played against earlier this summer. #3 North Polk crushed North Scott in their semifinals game 11-3, with 16 hits. The Dutch and Comets played earlier this summer, with a 3-1 loss for the green and white. It’s the last time Pella has lost a game, and Emma Eekhoff had the lone Dutch hit in the effort, a solo home run. The Dutch have won seven games in a row since. The Dutch and Comets have played seven times in the Bound Era, with North Polk leading the series 6-1.

Live coverage of state tournament softball begins at 4:45 p.m. today on 92.1 KRLS.