North Linn has made it a summer tradition to both qualify for the state softball tournament and make a run at the title while in Fort Dodge.

The Lynx took another step toward a third appearance in the championship game, topping Iowa City Regina Monday evening at Rogers Park, 5-2.

Next up for North Linn (40-6 overall) will be Central Springs on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on Iowa Central Field in the Class 2A semifinals.

A four-run third helped the Lynx overcome an early 1-0 deficit, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Ellie Flanagan. Kaitlyn Sommerfelt and Jill Smith also had RBI hits in the inning.

“I just had to get the nerves out,” said Flanagan, the younger sister of former North Linn standouts Grace and Abby Flanagan. “After that, it was fun. We just kept it fun by cheering each other on and kept pushing.”

North Linn won the 2A title in 2019 and finished as runners-up last summer. That team featured five seniors who have moved on, with youngsters such as Flanagan and Sommerfelt picking up the load.

Flangan drove in two runs and recorded four strikeouts, allowing just two hits with three walks. Skylar Benesh was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

During the regular season, the Lynx hit a school-record 41 homers and led the Tri-Rivers Conference with 250 runs, hitting .411 as a team.

Iowa City Regina (19-13) used up its rally cries in regionals, overcoming deficits to knock both Louisa-Muscatine and Cardinal off. The Regals have won three state titles in the past decade, hoisting the trophy in 2011, ’15 and ’17.

Annie Gahan cut into the deficit with a solo homer in the sixth. They will play Underwood on Tuesday in the consolations at 1:30 p.m.

NORTH LINN 5, IOWA CITY REGINA 2

Regina 001 001 0 — 2 2 0

North Linn 004 001 x — 5 10 1

Emma Nibuhr (L, 16-8, 6 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 2 BB) and Courtney Kessler; Ellie Flanagan (W, 22-2, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 3 BB), Maddie Stepanek (S 2, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 K, 0 BB) and Jenna Lemley.

HR–ICR: Annie Gahan. 2B–ICR: Courtney Kessler; NL: Ellie Flanagan, Jill Smith. RBI–ICR: Courtney Kessler, Annie Gahan; NL: Skylar Benesh, Kaitlyn Sommerfelt, Jill Smith, Ellie Flanagan (2).