Linn softball had a good week, going 4-2 overall and 3-1 at the Jays Classic.

The Lady Cats lost a tough game to Fr. Tolton, 3-1. “We battled hard but came up short,” said Coach Ryan Rost. “We responded well, going to South Callaway and winning 21-1. We carried that momentum into the Jay’s Classic.”

In the loss to the Lady Trailblazers, Linn had three hits, as Emma Starke hit a solo HR, and Kenzy Hackmann and Ava Warren each provided a single.

In a complete game, Sophie Voss took the loss after allowing one earned run on nine hits, with a pair of strikeouts and three walks.

In Thursday’s 20-run blowout at SC, the Lady Cats collected 17 hits, and all runs were driven in.

Stats: Hackmann (3-4, RBI), Elli Dudenhoeffer (3-4, 3 RBI), Voss (2-3, triple, 2 RBI), Anna Peters (2-2, double, 3 RBI), Warren (2-4, double, RBI), Paige Senevey (2-3), Heslie Higginbotham (2-3, 2 RBI), Starke (1-1, 2 RBI), Elizabeth Sprenger (2 RBI), Mara Mitchell (RBI).

Warren notched the win with a two-hitter that resulted in one earned run; she struck out two and walked none.

That led the girls into the Jays Classic on Friday, with the Lady Wildcats claiming solid wins against Parkway West (Class 5), 7-6, and a state rematch against Chaffee (Class 2),

“We played extremely well on both sides,” said Rost. “We had great timely hitting, and our pitching and defense were great. I was incredibly pleased with how we handled ourselves, the great competition, and the pressure.”

Warren posted an RBI triple and Starke added an RBI double as the Lady Cats outhit Parkway 10-8.

After posting a run in the first, Linn trailed 3-1 but flipped the script in the second inning to tie the game at 4-4. From there, Linn added a run in the third and fourth,

Parkway scored two in the sixth to knot the game again, but Linn pulled out a win with a run in the seventh.

Voss (RBI), Hackmann (RBI), and Dudenhoeffer each had two hits, while Peters (RBI) and Senevey added a hit apiece.

Warren struck out seven and walked three in the win, allowing three earned runs on eight hits.

Saturday started great as Linn defeated Class 5 Helias, 4-1.

“Sophie pitched an absolute gem, holding Helias to only two hits, and our defense made some incredible plays to hold them down,” said Rost. “We had some great timely hits as well, including a two-run home run from Emma Starke and a clutch RBI by Anna Peters. We played great all-around softball and really showed what we are capable of in this game. It was a huge win for us and for our softball program.”

In the third, Higgs (1-3) got it going with a one-out double and scored on a Hackmann (1-4) RBI ground-out. Voss (2-4) stepped into the box and delivered a double, followed by Starke’s (1-4) two-run blast to center field for a 3-0 lead.

The Lady Crusaders scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, but Linn countered with an insurance run in the top of the sixth.

Warren finished with two hits, and Peters and Senevey each added one hit.

Voss pitched a complete game, finishing with five strikeouts and three walks as she allowed one earned run on two hits.

Saturday did not end as well as it started, as Linn lost to Blair Oaks, 10-8. “Coming off the win against Helias, we were flat and made too many mistakes on offense and defense,” said Rost. “Hats off to Blair Oaks for taking advantage of our mistakes and capitalizing when they needed to. We just never found our energy and focus throughout the game, and it cost us.”

In a veritable shootout, the Lady Falcons struck first, scoring four in the first, with Linn responding in the second by posting five runs.

Warren (1-4) led off with a single, and moved up on a single by Senevey (2-3), reaching third on an error. With two aboard, Sprenger (1-3, RBI) delivered an RBI single that moved Senevey to third. Peters (1-4, RBI) drove in Senevey on a ground-out, and Higginbotham (2-3, RBI) had a base hit to put runners on the corners. Trailing 4-2, Hackmann (2-5, double, 4 RBI) doubled to clear the bases and later scored on an error for a 5-4 advantage.

Blair Oaks scored a pair of runs in each the third and fourth, and Linn tied the game at 8-8 in the fifth. The Lady Cats took advantage of two walks and an error in the frame, using a Hackmann single to finally tie the game.

The Lady Falcons scored two in the top of the seventh to pull ahead, but the Lady Cats were unable to match it.

Voss and Dudenhoeffer each added a hit.

On the rubber, Warren allowed five earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and three walks in a three-inning start. Voss pitched the remaining four innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, with a strikeout and a walk.

Moving forward, Rost said the team will have to continue to get better mentally, approaching every game with the same high energy and discipline with which they are capable. “It was not our best showing, but we will grow from the loss and all of our great wins this weekend as we continue the season,” he added. “I’m incredibly proud of this group and look forward to the next couple of weeks for us to keep getting better!”

Four Lady Wildcats surpassed 100 hits in recent games.

Voss and Warren reached the milestone at the Take the Lake Tournament, Hackmann got there on Thursday against South Callaway, and Dudenhoeffer passed it at the Jays Classic against Parkway West.