Linn defeated Cuba 10-0 in six innings on Saturday to claim fifth place at the Wildcats’ home tournament.

Coach Dan Campbell said it wasn’t easy to get up Saturday morning and play for fifth at home, especially after Friday’s nine-inning loss to South Callaway.

“The boys came in this morning early and worked hard for two hours before the game,” said Campbell. “We almost had a practice this morning. They swung it well today, and they were into it — the intensity was good. We hit the ball well and got back on the right track.”

The Cats opened with a run in the first. Jax Kubiak (2-3) led off with a single and stole second. He moved to third on a wild pitch, and after walks to Craig Laughlin (1-2) and Gus Peters, Kubiak scored on another wild pitch.

In the third, Kubiak again led off, this time with a walk. Again, he stole second to set up Linn’s second run. Austin Dudenhoeffer (3-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI) doubled to drive in Kubiak for a 2-0 lead. Laughlin reached on a two-base error that moved Dudenhoeffer to third. Tryten Reynolds (1-3, 2 RBI) hit a sac fly to plate Dudenhoeffer. After a walk to Peyton Peters (3-3, 2 RBI), Laughlin scored on a wild pitch, and G. Peters scored on an error.

“They’re always looking for the steal,” said Campbell, noting his players have an aggressive approach to base-running.

Leading 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Wildcats added another run. Kubiak hit a one-out single and stole second for the third time. With two outs, Dudenhoeffer delivered a single to right field to drive in Kubiak.

Linn’s aggressive effort on the bases paid off with another run in the fifth. P. Peters singled with one out and moved to third on a groundout. With two outs, Aaron Starke walked, and with runners on the corners, courtesy runner Nash Tyree (in for Starke) moved toward second in a double steal.

“It’s a play we liked to run,” said Campbell. “The player at first is supposed to stay in a rundown, and then as soon as we get a release from the pitcher, we’re breaking the runner from third. And it worked. They ran it well. It’s a risky play, and it’s not worked a few times, but with two outs, it’s a play we’re willing to take advantage of, depending on the team we’re playing.”

Come now to the bottom of the sixth when the Wildcats put together a great sequence to end the game with three runs.

Dudenhoeffer smashed a one-out double to center field but stayed at second when Logan Martin (1-1) singled. Dudenhoeffer moved to third on a wildcard pitch, and G. Peters walked to load the bases. Reynolds delivered a single through the left side to drive in Dudenhoeffer.

P. Peters drove in Martin and Reynolds with a line drive to left.

Dudenhoeffer struck out eight and walked one while allowing no runs on one hit over 4.2 innings. Sprenger, in 1.1 innings of relief, struck out three.

“We pitched well,” said Campbell. “Austin threw a great game again, and Dawson came in and closed it out. They’re doing a great job.”

In Friday’s late game, the Wildcats lost to South Callaway 8-7 in nine innings.

“We dug a big hole in the first inning,” said Campbell, noting a combination of walks and errors led to four runs for the Bulldogs. “I was proud of the boys for coming back. They battled, and we ended up getting the tie.”

Linn trailed 4-0 until scoring a run in the bottom of the second, but SC added another in the fourth. The Wildcats went to work in the bottom of the sixth and scored five to take the lead.

G. Peters (2-4) and P. Peters (3-3, 2 RBI) hit consecutive singles, Trevor Brandt walked, and Starke (2-4, RBI) hit a single to plate three runs. Walks to Dudenhoeffer (2-4, double) and Laughlin and a single by Reynolds (1-5, 2 RBI) generated the other three.

After SC scored in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 6-6, Linn had two on with two outs and couldn’t quite push the winner across.

To extras it went, with the Bulldogs scoring the go-ahead run in the top and Linn matching it in the bottom on a two-out rally.

Linn could not score in the bottom of the ninth after Bobby Winkelman’s one-out single. He finished 2-4 with an RBI, and Kubiak added an RBI single.

“We had several chances to win,” said Campbell. “We just couldn’t get the big hit. Credit them; they got us out on all of them. Like I said, I am proud of the boys for battling back; we almost pulled that one out.”

G. Peters gave up no earned runs on two hits, with two strikeouts and three walks in his 4.1-inning start. P. Peters closed the game, allowing three earned on six hits, with two strikeouts and two walks over 4.2 innings.

Earlier on Friday, the Wildcats lost to Dixon, 8-3.

“We gave up 11 walks, and you’re not going to beat anyone doing that,” said Campbell.

Still, though Linn had two fewer hits in the game (8-6), the Wildcats scored a run in the third to take a brief lead. Dixon matched it in the bottom of the frame, then exploded with five runs in the fourth. Linn scored two in the top but the Bulldogs plated two more in the bottom of the fifth.

Winkleman and G. Peters (RBI) each had two hits, while Laughlin, Dudenhoeffer (RBI), Kubiak, and Reynolds (double) each had one.

Reynolds drew the start and went three innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with six walks and no strikeouts. P. Peters, in two innings, allowed no runs on one hit, and G. Peters gave up two earned on no hits with four walks in an inning.

Earlier in the week, the Wildcats lost to Tipton, 3-1.