The Bulldogs’ defense bent but didn’t break.

In the first round of the Class 2A, Region 2 softball tournament, Lake Mills halted West Fork’s seventh-inning rally to win 6-5 Tuesday at Lake Mills.

The Bulldogs took an early lead with two runs in the first inning.

“We got the bats going early to provide support for a strong outing from Emily Orban in the circle,” said Lake Mills coach Matt Daniels.

After West Fork tied the game in the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs scored four unanswered runs until West Fork managed three runs in the final inning. However, the Lake Mills defense stepped up to end the game without having to bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Orban went the distance in the circle. She struck out five batters and allowed five hits, five runs, no earned runs and a walk.

Cassidy Cox led the Bulldogs at the plate. She was 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored. Cede Byrnes and Kaitlyn Eidness both added two hits and an RBI.

Next, Lake Mills will play in the regional quarterfinals at 7 p.m. today at St. Ansgar.

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: July 8 post.