LAKE MILLS — A rocky start turned into rapid-fire scoring for the Bulldogs.

The Lake Mills softball team beat West Hancock 17-7 Monday in the first round of the Class 2 A Region 3 tournament.

“It was a fun game,” said Lake Mills coach Matt Daniels. “We came out swinging and the energy was really high.”

What turned into a fun game started out rough for the Bulldogs, with West Hancock scoring seven runs in just the first inning.

Lake Mills scored two runs in the first and four in the second inning, before adding a dominating eight runs in the third. They tacked on two more in the fifth inning and one in the sixth.

West Hancock didn’t score a single run after their first inning.

“They’re a tough team. They got up on us in that first inning,” said Daniels. “But we came back. Playing hard, swinging the bats — good things happen.”

Helping on offense for Lake Mills was senior Amelia Evenson, who hit both a triple and a double, driving in three RBIs.

“(She) had a great night for us at the plate,” said Daniels.

Sophomore Hailey Borgmeyer was also an offensive leader, contributing four RBIs on her three hits.

In the circle for the Bulldogs was junior Emily Orban. After that eventful first inning, Orban shut down the Eagles and didn’t allow a single run. She walked four and struck out three in her six-inning appearance.

“Emily threw a solid game for us in the circle,” said Daniels. “A little adversity early on but she came back and locked it in.”

Next, the Bulldogs will play Belmond-Klemme at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Belmond.