After overcoming early struggles, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn fashioned a strong finish to defeat West Bend-Mallard, 11-8, in first-round regional softball action July 13 in Hartley.

The win was H-M-S's first in the postseason in four years.

"What a way to begin regionals," said Hawk coach Carissa Post. "Watching the Hawks play with enthusiasm, energy and zeal to succeed makes coaching so worth it."

The early innings didn't go smoothly for the Hawks. Combining walks, errors, a single and a hit batter in the first inning, WB-M built a 4-0 advantage. They scored two more runs in the next inning, b...