LAONA, Wis. — The Florence LadyCats softball team put together a winning season in 2025, winning 64% of their games.

But their final outing was a bitter one as second-seeded Laona/Wabeno scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to oust third-seeded Florence 3-2 in a WIAA Division 5 Sectional 2 defeat in Laona.

“Everyone took it hard,” Florence coach Daniel Robinson said. “The ball bounced Laona’s way all night.”

The LadyCats (14-8) pulled into a 2-2 tie with the Rebels with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. But L-W answered back with a lead-off triple, which turned into a run on the next pitch after a pitch “glanced off our catcher allowing the runner to score,” Robinson said.

The Rebels broke a scoreless tie with a run in the bottom of the third and added another in the fifth, setting up the decisive sixth inning.

Florence had its chances along the way, Robinson said. In the top of the first, the LadyCats had runners on second and third with one out before a line drive back to the pitcher turned into a double play.

In the third inning, the Rebels fought out of a jam when they caught a Florence runner between third and home for the final out.

The LadyCats pulled even when Ashley Peterson ripped a two-out double to score two. Miley VanDenHeuvel followed with a deep fly out to center to leave the game tied.

Florence had 10 baserunners in the game compared to just four against LadyCats’ starter, senior Allison Wood.

“On paper, we should not have lost,” Robinson said. “The unfortunate thing was we hit the ball right at them.”

Like she has all year, Wood pitched well in her final game. She allowed just three hits and one walk in her complete-game performance. Wood struck out seven in the game, bringing her total for the season to 175.

“What an amazing year for her and all our seniors,” Robinson said.

Aurora McCarthy and Audrey Franz also played in their final prep game.

VanDenHeuvel, McCarthy and Peterson each doubled in the game, while Franz and Quinn Cassidy recorded a single apiece.

“What a great bunch of girls,” Robinson said of his squad. “They played hard all year.”

With their win, the Rebels advance to the sectional final where they will meet No. 1 seed Three Lakes on Tuesday.