Linn had opportunities and got around some early difficulties, but ultimately lost 4-1 to Russellville in Tuesday’s Class 2, District 8 semifinal at Blair Oaks.

“It was the ‘same old, same old’ for us — just grind and grind and grind, and hopefully bounces go your way,” said Thomas. “A couple balls didn’t go our way; that’s just the way it broke. ”

Despite a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first, Peters escaped with just one run crossing the plate.

“Uncharacteristically, Peyten (Peters) had a little bit of a wild start, then settled down and got after it. We didn’t help him a ton in the first inning.”

It remained a 1-0 game for the next four innings until the Wildcats tied the game. Nash Tyree (1-2, run) opened with a single and moved to second on a sac bunt by Hunter Bish (1-2). Tyree came home on a Jax Kubiak (2-2, RBI) triple to center field.

“Hunter had a really good sac bunt to help us score and tie the game,” said Thomas.

The Indians returned in the bottom of the frame and scored three runs to take a lead they did not relinquish.

“The boys played well for the most part,” said Thomas. We only had a couple or three mistakes, but that’s high school baseball. We made a lot of contact. The breaks just didn’t quite go our way.”

Craig Laughlin also had two hits for the Wildcats.

On the mound, P. Peters went five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and a walk. In one inning of relief, G. Peters struck out two and allowed no hits or runs.

As the Wildcats end the year at 13-12-1, Thomas reflected on the season. “Obviously, you set lofty goals, so you can accomplish lasting goals,” he said. “This is still a really young group. We return a lot. There are a couple of holes that are going to be hard to fill with senior graduations.”

Thomas is pleased that the team wasn’t run-ruled all year, noting that several losses were by one or two runs. “You can literally look at a bounce, a single here, or something like that, and see why we lost,” he added. “The seniors showed how to lead pretty well, juniors did their part when they were called upon, and the sophomores grew a ton. It’s a fun time to look at the future.”

Thomas noted that the team that played the back half of the season is a big indication of what’s to come for Linn Wildcats baseball.