Close games were the rule instead of the exception late in the season for the Lake Mills softball team.

Five of the Bulldogs’ last six games were decided by one run, and Wednesday’s matchup in the Class 2A, Region 2 quarterfinals was no different.

Lake Mills erased a one-run deficit with four runs in the top of the fourth inning, but St. Ansgar scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Bulldogs were unable to climb back a second time, and their season ended with an 8-7 loss at St. Ansgar.

“It was a great back-and-forth game,” said Lake Mills coach Matt Daniels. “We had great performances from our senior girls on offense and defense.”

The Lake Mills seniors — Ema Anderson, Kelcey Srp, Sarah Orban and Kaitlyn Eidness — had eight of the team’s 18 hits.

Anderson led the team by going 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Sophomores Cassidy Cox and Cede Byrnes added three hits each.

Emily Orban led Lake Mills from the pitching circle. She struck out six batters and allowed one walk, 13 hits and seven earned runs in six innings.

The Bulldogs (16-15 overall) and Saints (16-8 overall) met June 5 at Lake Mills, and St. Ansgar won 6-1. Lake Mills doubled its hit total in the postseason rematch.

“It was a fun season with good things to look back on,” Daniels said. “We’re looking forward to next year.”

Statistics are in the Scoreboard: July 9 post.