Bulldogs win North Iowa Conference opener over North Iowa

The Lake Mills softball team fought back from a one-run deficit in the sixth inning to beat North Iowa 12-10 Friday in its North Iowa Conference opener.

“We’re happy with the win,” Lake Mills head coach Rick Orban said. “It gives us something to build on.”

After taking a 5-2 lead in the second inning, the Bison came back with five unanswered runs.

The Bulldogs rallied with five runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth.

“We played with a lot of energy and fight,” coach Orban said.

The Lake Mills defense and pitcher Emily Orban held North Iowa scoreless in the seventh to preserve the win.

Orban struck out seven batters and walked three.

Katlyn Eidness led the Bulldogs at the plate. She tallied three hits, including a double and five RBIs.

“We hit the ball well tonight,” coach Orban said. “Katlyn Eidness was swinging the bat well again.”

Orban earned two hits. Ema Anderson, Megan Johnson and Jurnee Peña had one hit each.

Jessica Wubben, a senior, pitched for North Iowa. She struck out one batter and walked three.

The Bison were led by Rachel Boeklman, Carly Main and Morgan Hassebroek at the plate.

Boeklman earned three hits. Main and Hassebroek had two hits each.

Lake Mills is 1-2 overall. In their previous two games, the Bulldogs lost 8-4 to Hampton-Dumont and 14-2 against Central Springs.

Next, the Bulldogs host Garner-Hayfield/Ventura at 6 p.m. Monday.