Tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh on Monday, Linn’s Autumn Baker (1-3) was hit by a pitch. That put Emma Monnette at the plate, and she bunted with the hope of moving Baker to second.

Instead, an error on the play allowed Baker to score the game-winning run as the Lady Cats pulled out a 4-3 victory.

“I’m very pleased with our play in this game,” said Coach Ryan Rost. “We bounced back very well after our bad loss to Eugene. The girls played good defense and executed hits in crucial spots. It was a hard-fought game, and I’m so proud of my girls and their perseverance. Hopefully, we can build off this momentum and keep improving as we approach October.”

Linn scored first in this contest, plating a run in the bottom of the first after a dropped third strike put Baker aboard. Aushara Hostetler (2-3, RBI) singled on a grounder to left field, and Baker scored on the throw. Hostetler stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. After a walk to Ava Warren, Hostetler scored on another passed ball.

Southern Boone tied up the game in the top of the third, but that didn’t last long. Linn reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame. Hostetler hit her second single of the game and went to second on a walk to Hannah Hackmann. An RBI-single by Kiana Hostetler (1-3) drove in the elder Hostetler for a 3-2 lead.

SoBo tied the game in the top of the fifth to set up the showdown in the bottom of the seventh.

Alli Klebba also had a hit in the game.

Sophie Voss went the distance, notching the win after allowing three earned runs on seven hits, with four strikeouts and two walks.

On Friday, the Lady Cats suffered a 14-2 loss on the road to Eugene.

“We did not play well at all this game,” said Rost. “Mentally, we weren’t where we needed to be, and our energy was low. This is a game to learn from and move on.”

After going scoreless through three innings, Linn put up one run in the fourth and another in the fifth.

Hackmann (1-3) led off the fourth with a single and moved to second on an error that allowed Kaitlyn Starke to reach base. Klebba (1-2, RBI) delivered a single to center field to plate Hackmann.

In the fifth, Baker (3-3) doubled to get it started and went to third on an error that saw Monnette (1-3) reach first. From there, A. Hostetler hit a sac-fly to bring home Baker.

K. Hostetler went 2-2 on the night.

Warren took the loss after allowing five earned runs on seven hits with a strikeout and three walks in 1.2 innings. A. Hostetler, in 2.1 innings, allowed six earned runs on six hits, a strikeout, and five walks.

Against Belle on Thursday, the Lady Cats broke a 4-4 tie with four runs in the eighth to claim an 8-4 win.

“This was a great game,” said Rost. “We hit the ball well earlier in the game.

Linn held a 4-0 lead until the seventh. “They had a couple of really good at-bats and tied the game, but we responded,” said Rost. “This was a good win against a good team. I loved seeing the focus and drive by the girls for the entire game.”

Linn scored one in the first on a HR by A. Hostetler (1-2, RBI) and three in the fifth before Belle tied the game.

Hackmann (1-3, 2 RBI) drew a one-out walk in the eighth, and Warren (1-4) singled. Starke (2-4, RBI) stepped into the box and drilled a single to right field to drive in Hackmann as Warren moved to third.

Two batters later, Klebba (2-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI) smacked a double to left field to plate Warren and Starke, and the final run came when K. Hostetler singled to bring in Klebba.

A. Hostetler struck out the side to end the game, giving her nine Ks in the contest. She walked just one and allowed three earned runs on 10 hits. 

Baker also posted a single.

Last Tuesday, the Lady Cats outhit Cuba 7-4 and claimed an 11-0 win.

“We played well and hit the ball efficiently,” said Rost. “The girls took excellent approaches at the plate, and it paid off as we were able to score early and often.”

Linn plated three in each the first and fifth and added five in the fourth.

Baker led the offensive with a 3-3 day at the plate, hitting a single, double, and triple while driving in one run. Monnette added two hits with two RBI, and Starke (triple, 3 RBI) and Hackmann (triple, 2 RBI) added a hit apiece.

Voss pitched all five innings for the win, striking out six, walking three, and allowing four hits in the shutout.