LAKE MILLS &045; A four-run third inning gave Lake Mills’ pitcher Megan Pederson all the cushion she would need as she threw a two-hitter past Garner-Hayfield to advance to the district finals.

Peterson stuck out nine and did not walk a batter while only having to work out of one early jam.

Garner-Hayfield put runners on second and third with no outs in the first inning but came away empty.

G-H would put just two more runners on base the rest of the game.

Pederson would get on in the bottom of the first after being hit by a pitch before she scored the first run of the game off back-to-back singles from Melissa Brackey and Laura Fjelstad.

The Bulldogs scored four times in the third off three hits including a double from Nicky Sletten.

Garner-Hayfield pitcher Katlyn Huinker went the distance giving up a pair of walks and striking out two.

&uot;This was a big win for Lake Mills over a solid G-H team,&uot; said Lake Mills head coach Jim Boehmer.

&uot;G-H always plays solid softball and they always play us well.&uot;

The win improved Lake Mills to 29-9 on the season.

The Bulldogs played at Mason City Newman Tuesday night with a trip to the regional semifinal on the line.

Lake Mills 5, Garner-Hayfield 0

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Katlyn Huinker and Katie Monson; Megan Pederson and Laura Fjelstad