North Linn secures another trip to the state softball finals

FORT DODGE — For the fourth time in five years, North Linn is playing highest-of-high-stakes softball.

Friday-night softball.

Jersey Peyton hit a two-run home run in the first inning, then the second-ranked Lynx leaned on Ellie Flanagan’s pitching and Kenzie Bridgewater’s defense in a 2-1 Class 1A state-semifinal win over No. 7 Clarksville on Wednesday at the Rogers Sports Complex.

“It’s a relief,” Peyton said. “People didn’t think we were going to be that good this season. It’s an amazing feeling ...

“We’re still here.”

The Lynx (38-6) will bring down the curtain on the 2023 season at 7:30 Friday night against No. 1 Martensdale-St. Marys (27-6), a 9-0 winner over No. 5 Wayne.

North Linn was the 2A champion in 2019 and 2021, the 2A runner-up in 2020. It was fourth in 1A last year.

“No disrespect to our past teams, but this is really a warm feeling,” said Coach Chad Spore, who has fashioned a 113-22 three-year ledger. “I have such a good feeling for this group.”

Flanagan (25-3) continued to gut it out despite a sore knee. The senior has allowed one run in 15 innings here.

She retired the first 12 batters she faced, ran into some murky waters in the fifth inning, then sat down the last seven hitters.

“Coach had me attack where their weakest spots were,” Flanagan said. “I trust his pitch calling.

“The one I missed, the girl (Rachel Borchardt) really cracked it.”

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Flanagan struck out four in the first two innings and two in the seventh. When the Indians (29-2) made contact, it was usually at or near Bridgewater, the Lynx’s second baseman.

Bridgewater made nine plays — six assists and three putouts — without a hiccup.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but she’s automatic,” Flanagan said.

Bridgewater said, “Batters are usually late against Ellie, so on the right side (of the infield), I know to expect the ball.”

In their quarterfinal win over Sigourney on Tuesday, the Lynx didn’t score until the eighth inning.

No such delay Wednesday.

Skylar Benesh led off with a walk. Two outs later, Peyton delivered her fourth home run of the season.

“It was amazing. I was surprised,” she said. “I made some adjustments, loading myself earlier and squaring around.”

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Photos: North Linn vs. Clarksville state softball semifinals

“She had been a little late,” Spore said. “She made the adjustment to get on time.”

And that adjustment was critical, because the Lynx managed just two hits the rest of the way.

Borchardt led off the top of the fifth with a double, then scored on Mollie Bloker’s single. Bloker was stranded at third base, and the Indians didn’t threaten again.

Clarksville will face Wayne in the third-place game Friday.

North Linn 2, Clarksville 1

Class 1A State Semifinal, at Fort Dodge

Clarksville 000 010 0 — 1 3 0

North Linn 200 000 x — 2 4 1

Cailyn Hardy and Jenna Myers. Ellie Flanagan and Jersey Peyton. W — Flanagan (25-3). L — Hardy (25-2). HR — NL: Jersey Peyton (4).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com