After starting the season off 1-3, the Lake Mills softball team was going for its second win in a row and made the most off the opportunity to get back to the .500 mark.

The Bulldogs used a six-run fourth inning to get by Garner-Hayfield-Ventura 9-6 on Friday.

“It was another slow defensive start,” Lake Mills coach Bill Byrnes said. “Give credit to GHV, they came to play.”

Garner-Hayfield-Ventura led 3-0 before the Bulldogs put their first run on the board in the second inning. It would add three runs in the fourth to go up 6-2.

But Lake Mills starting pitcher Jade Gasteiger settled down and managed to strike out 11 batters in the win.

On offense, Lake Mills got two hits each from Hailey Borgmeyer, Jessa Gasteiger, Jade Gasteiger, Jaclyn Joynt and Hannah Hanson.

But the real story was Jade Gasteiger’s performance inside the circle.

“It was a big game by Jade,” Byrnes said. “Her 11 strikeouts helped out the defense. We also had a big fourth inning with everyone contributing.”

Lake Mills is 3-3 on the season and will host a tournament Saturday.