Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Katie Scheckel connects for Pella against Cedar Rapids Xavier in a Class 4A state quarterfinal game on Monday at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Win or lose, Pella softball coach Katie Banowetz knew everything would be OK.

The Dutch (23-12 overall) had a daunting task in the Class 4A state quarterfinal round on Monday at Rogers Park, facing top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier (37-6).

“Our attitude coming in was, ‘what’s the worst that can happen?'” said Banowetz, who is in her second year as a head coach. “That’s been the biggest motto for us.”

In their first state trip since 2015 and only their second overall, Banowetz had her squad ready.

The Dutch started with a bang on Monday, shutting down the top-ranked Saints by a 5-1 count to advance to the semifinal round on Channel Field.

Banowetz’s group has now knocked off two Top-10 opponents in the postseason. They clinched their state berth with a surprising 1-0 win over No. 6 Carlisle in a regional final.

Pella will now face fifth-seeded ADM (28-8) on Wednesday at 10 a.m. back on Channel Seeds Field. The Tigers knocked off fifth-seeded Dallas Center-Grimes on Monday.

“We just have to keep staying focused on us,” Banowetz said. “Play together and play our game.”

Senior pitcher Emma Eekhoff (16-8) shut down the Saints lineup, holding them hitless through six innings.

“There was no pressure on us,” Eekhoff said. “Nobody expected us to win.

“We are so excited to be here. I’m looking forward to the next round to see what we can do.”

Eekhoff allowed a lone earned run late, striking out eight and walking zero in the contest.

“It was all about trusting my stuff,” Eekhoff said. “My change was working.”

Eekhoff also did her damage at the plate, hitting a solo home run and a double. She recorded two of the five hits for the Dutch.

“(Eekhoff) is just a true blessing to coach,” Banowetz said. “She can execute, and she puts in a lot of work.”

Elah Hiemstra drove in two runs. Avery Parks and Abigail Melvin also had hits.

Pella scored five runs against one of the top pitchers in the state.

Braylen Conlon, who is headed to Iowa, entered the contest with a 0.39 ERA. She had 279 strikeouts.

On Monday, she struck out 13 batters and walked three for the Saints, who were making their sixth trip all-time to the state tournament.

Maddy Gates, Carley Jonker and Claire Walter had hits for the Saints. Jaselle Lang drove in a run.

Xavier will now play Dallas Center-Grimes in a Class 4A consolation tilt on Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Yankee Field.

PELLA 5, 5 CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER 1

Pella 000 004 1 — 5 5 2

CR Xavier 000 000 — 0 3 1

WP–Emma Eekhoff (16-8, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO); LP–Braylen Conlon (25-1, 7 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 13 SO); 2B–Pella: Emma Eekhoff; HR–Pella: Eekhoff. Multiple hits–Pella: Eekhoff (2); RBI–Pella: Elah Hiemstra (2), Eekhoff, Lucy Carlson, Abigail Melvin; CRX: Jaselle Lang.