BAINBRIDGE – Cool as can be, the Ice gave the Racers a frosty reception in the Little League Majors Softball Championship as the girls broke open a 2-0 lead in the third inning to outlast the Racers 7-2 for the title.

A season of competition and hard work paid off for the Ice.

Sydney Weibel led off the game for the Ice with a perfectly executed bunt. Bella Boback was then hit by a pitch and the two would later score for an early 2-0 Ice lead.

The Racers came right back in their half of the first. Madison Grandt walked, and after two stolen bases scored on an Ice error.

Lina Fenner shut down the Ice in the second, and the Racers tied the game when Cai Haught walked, stole second and later scored on an error and fielder’s choice.

The Ice bats went to work in the third and things started to crystallize.

Caroline “Car-Bar” Michaels and Grace Owen each led off with singles. Taylor Clyde then hit into a fielder’s choice, which is when matters got interesting, as Car-Bar broke for home and the Racers threw in her direction. She hit the brakes and a 10-pitch pickle ensued with the crowd and teams hollering with excitement.

Car-Bar finally won the battle and scampered back to third, leaving the bases loaded.

A fielder’s choice by Samara Hutchinson, walk to Mia Alpaugh and single by Malia Griffeth led to a 5-2 Ice lead which they never relinquished.

Grace Apel, Kylie Bushnell and Taylor shut down the Racers the rest of the game by pitching no-hit ball. Leah Baker and Mo Jarreau played great defense, as well, and the Ice prevailed 7-2.

“It was a good way to end the season,” said Ice Coach Thomas Alpaugh.

The team was a mixture of seasoned veterans, returning majors players and a few girls who had never played softball before. Five of the players were on Alpaugh’s team when they won the intermediate championship.

“We had an optimistic attitude going through the season,” he said, adding that the team felt it could beat anyone if they played their best.

“I told them before the game, if we play our best, good things are going to happen.

“It all came together,” Alpaugh said. “We capped it off with a final game of just stellar pitching and defense and kept the other team to just two runs.”

When the Ice held on for the championship win, there was joy ­— and relief.

“By the final out, it was pandemonium. They were very, very excited,” the coach recalled.

In addition to Alpaugh, the team was guided to the title by first base coach Bryana Deits and dugout coach Dave Weibel.