The Prior Lake softball team is starting to show signs it can be a contender in the Section 2AAAA playoffs.

The Lakers had their four-game win streak snapped in the Lakeville North Invitational, winning one of three games May 4. Prior Lake earned a 10-0 win over Minneapolis Southwest between losses to New Prague (8-5) and Faribault (3-0).

The Lakers followed with an 8-2 home win over No. 9-ranked Rosemount May 6 and a 4-2 loss at No. 10 Shakopee May 7 in two South Suburban Conference games.

Prior Lake (7-7 overall, 6-4 in the SSC) is home to Apple Valley May 9 and at Eagan May 10 in league games at 4:30 p.m. The Lakers’ final two SSC contests are versus Burnsville May 13 and against Lakeville South at Pond’s Park May 15.

Prior Lake also has non-league games at New Prague May 17 and versus No. 2 Forest Lake May 18 to end the regular season.

The Section 2AAAA playoffs start May 21 with first-round action. The Lakers are looking like the No. 4 or 5 seed at this point. Eighth-ranked Chanhassen and Shakopee look to be the top two seeds.

Eden Prairie and Bloomington Jefferson are in the hunt with the Lakers for a top-four seed. The bottom three seeds look to be Minnetonka, Chaska and Burnsville.

In the win over Rosemount, sophomore Karlie Miller tossed a complete game, allowing two unearned runs while striking out seven. She also helped herself out at the plate, finishing 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs.

Junior Megan Rasmussen was 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI for the Lakers. Senior Lexi Hanson was 1 for 3 with two runs scored.

Against Shakopee, Prior Lake trailed 4-1 after three innings and couldn’t recover. Junior Reece Dahl tossed a complete game, allowing four runs (one earned) while fanning six.

Junior Kelly Kero and Mady Lyons each had RBIs for the Lakers.

In the win over Minneapolis Southwest, Miller and junior Brianna Elbon combined on a no-hitter. Miller struck out nine in four innings, while Elbon fanned four in two frames.

Junior Sydney Mickett finished 3 for 4 with six RBIs to lead the Lakers’ offense. Senior Megan Lolling drove in two runs with a double. Kero doubled and had an RBI, while Dahl doubled and scored a run. Miller also chipped in an RBI.

Against Faribault, Miller tossed a complete game, fanning five and allowing three runs. The Lakers had just two hits, both singles by Mickett.

In the loss to New Prague, Prior Lake led 5-2 after three innings, but couldn’t hold the advantage. Miller had a pair of RBIs in the setback, while Mickett had one.

Dahl took the loss, working six innings and allowing six runs (five earned) with eight strikeouts. Miller allowed a pair of runs in relief.