Madison, WI – The Madison Night Mares (36-6) closed out the regular season in historic fashion on Saturday, defeating the La Crosse Steam (20-22) in five innings to secure their 36th victory of the year, setting a new Northwoods League single-season record.

La Crosse struck first with a run in the top of the opening inning, but Madison responded immediately. Mickayla Tosch (Wichita State University) delivered a two-run double to put the Night Mares ahead 2-1, and Trinity Kennemer (Metropolitan State University of Denver) followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-1.

The Night Mares broke the game open in the second. Ahmari Braden (University of Pittsburgh) led off the inning with her first home run of the season, a solo shot that made it 4-1. Hilary Blomberg (University of Wisconsin) followed with her league-record 20th home run of the year, becoming the first player in Northwoods League history to reach the 20-homer milestone in a single season. Emma Kavanagh (Virginia Tech) added a two-run homer later in the inning as Madison’s lead grew to 8-1.

Madison continued to pour on the offense in the third. Danielle Lucey (University of Wisconsin) brought home a run with a sacrifice fly before Tosch launched a two-run home run to extend the advantage to 11-1.

The Night Mares put the game out of reach in the fourth. Pinch-hitter Kyra Smith (Colorado State University) stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and cleared them with a three-run double, stretching the lead to 14-1. Madison added another run in the inning before completing the 15-1 run-rule victory in five innings.

Carly Brewer (University of Iowa) tossed all five innings in the circle to earn her first win of the season for the Night Mares. Madisyn Parker (Winona State University) was charged with the loss for the Steam.

With the record-breaking regular season complete, the Night Mares now turn their attention to the postseason. Madison opens the 2026 Northwoods League Softball Championship Series on the road against the Wausau Ignite on Monday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The series returns to Madison for Game 2 on Wednesday night at Warner Park, with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m.