It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season, and that old sports saying held true Saturday as the Waterloo softball team lost to conference rival Highland in the sectional final at Mascoutah, 6-0.

With a large contingent of Waterloo fans on hand to root on their team in the “Battle of the Bulldogs,” the ‘Dogs in orange in black were unable to muster any offense. Waterloo had beaten Highland twice during the regular season, including a no-hitter thrown by ace lefty Kasey Bradley.

But Highland scored three runs in the first inning off Bradley on Saturday, making an early statement to which the hometown Bulldogs just didn’t have an answer.

Waterloo was held to just two hits all game.

“We ran into a buzzsaw today,” Waterloo head coach Matt Mason said after the game. “They were the better team today.”

The loss ended Waterloo’s season at 35-2, as the team set a new school record for softball victories in a season and captured conference and regional championships.

“This is a season for the books for Waterloo softball,” said Mason, a first year coach. “I’m so proud of this group.”

For more on the game and a look back at the season, pick up the June 10 edition of the Republic-Times newspaper.