LAKE MILLS, IA— After facing a shortened game due to rain on Tuesday night, the Lake Mills softball team looked to gain some momentum before their conference opener on Friday as they hosted Saint Ansgar Thursday in Lake Mills.

Lake Mills scored nine runs in the bottom of the second inning and sophomore Josie Brackey pitched six-innings of two hit ball to help the Bulldogs cruise past Saint Ansgar 15-5 in six innings.

After trailing 1-0 entering the bottom half of the second, the Bulldogs exploded for seven hits and sent 13 batters to the plate during the inning.

Freshman Megan Johnson and senior Ashley Mathahs both drove in two runs with singles during the nine run inning.

Overall, Megan Johnson drove in three runs, while Lindy Pins, Josie Brackey and Ashley Mathahs all drove in two runs apiece.

“Our batting was impressive,” Lake Mills head coach Wade Fridley said. “We’ve been doing hitting practice obviously along with working on bunting and slapping the ball.”

While the bats were impressive for the Bulldogs, Jose Brackey was equally impressive on the mound.

Brackey allowed two hits and struck out 12 batters to get the win for Lake Mills.

“Josie Brackey is pretty dominant a majority of the time,” Fridley said. “It’s like she takes the time to feel out the hitter, like a good pitcher should.”

With the win, Lake Mills improves their record to 2-2.

The Bulldogs now enter conference play on Friday against Newman Catholic in Mason City. The game should give Lake Mills a good chance to see where they stand in the North Iowa Conference.

“I definitely think Newman Catholic will be a good test tomorrow night (Friday),” Fridley said. “To see where we are at conference wise and to see where we sit with the rest of the teams in our conference.”

Lake Mills 15, Saint Ansgar 5 F/6

Saint Ansgar 102 020 — 5 2 3

Lake Mills 091 401 — 15 12 2

WP— Josie Brackey 6 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 12 K

LP- Sadie Oakland 5 IP, 7 H, 14 R, 2 BB, 6 K