A softball team looking for its first win of the year can be a dangerous opponent for any team.

Lake Mills (8-2) found that out first hand Thursday evening when winless Northwood-Kensett (0-10) pushed it to the limit in game one of a doubleheader in Northwood.

The Bulldogs came out on top 11-8 after surviving a six-run third inning by the Vikings, then used that momentum to take game two 10-0 in five innings.

“We didn’t come out that first game the way I would have liked,” said Bulldogs head coach Stacie Gaskill. “I don’t know if it was over confidence or that this wasn’t a conference game, but we did finally play Lake Mills softball in the second game.”

The Bulldogs collected six hits and led 4-2 after sending 20 batters to the plate in the first 2 ½ innings. Lake Mills center fielder Sammy Nelson accounted for three of those hits as the junior speedster beat out two bunts and an infield hit. Nelson and Bulldogs starter Jessica Lee led Lake Mills with three hits each, Lee also scored three times.

Against other teams this year that might have been it for Northwood-Kensett but against its bitter rivals from Lake Mills it was able to put together perhaps its best offensive inning of the season.

After two walks to lead off the bottom of the third Kate Hartman stroked a two-run single to right-center field that evened the score at 4-4. But the Viking rally was just beginning.

In all Northwood-Kensett had six runs on three hits in the inning by Hartman, Lauren Severson, and Marissa Nitcher that put the Vikings in front 8-4.

Not to be outdone by their rivals the Bulldogs came out in the top of the fourth on fire when their first four hitters reached base, including singles by Whitney Thompson, Holly Buffington, Lee, and a double by Morgan Aatgaard. Sara Chodur also doubled and the game was once again tied, this time at 8-8.