LAONA, Wis. — An early 6-0 deficit was too much to overcome for the visiting Patriots as top-seeded Laona-Wabeno defeated Goodman-Pembine 6-2 here Wednesday evening in a WIAA Division 5 regional softball final.

Kalen Berger toed the mound for Goodman-Pembine, allowing three earned runs, while fanning a half-dozen and not walking a batter. Goodman High School senior Katelyn Nelson, playing on an injured ankle, cracked a solo home run for G-P in the top of the fourth inning.

“I’m proud of these girls, we limped into tonight’s game missing two starters and having Katelyn (Nelson) hobbled with her ankle injury. Kalen scrapped the entire game and our defense kept us in it until the end,” said Patriots head coach Ryan Berger.

Sierra Dettman and Rebekah Streitzel each singled in the game for the Patriots.

The Lady Rebels, who were Northern Lakes Conference champions of the regular season, will move on to the sectional round of the WIAA Division 5 tournament and will host NLC foe Florence on Monday evening at 5 p.m. in Laona.

G-P 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2/3/2

L-W 1 2 3 0 0 0 X — 6/8/0