Martensdale-St. Marys made a habit of beating defending state champions in their second straight trip to the Class 1A state tournament at Rogers Park.

The Blue Devils (26-4 overall) beat top-seed North Linn (33-10) 6-2 in the third-place game on Friday at Rogers Park.

In the quarterfinals, the Lynx handled 1A defending champions Newell-Fonda.

North Linn was the Class 2A state champion in 2019, the runner-up in 2020 and the 2A queen a year ago.

Jackie Kleve came up with the big hit for the Blue Devils, blasting a three-run homer.

Sydney Bears and Brynlly German both drove in runs for the Blue Devils, who rode the arm of Campbell German.

German allowed six hits, but fanned 11 batters.

For North Linn, Jill Smith had a double, a homer and drove in a run, while Jenna Lemley added an RBI.

MATENSDALE-ST. MARYS 6, NORTH LINN 2

Marten.-SM 000 002 4 — 6 5 1

North Linn 100 00 1 — 2 6 1

WP–Campbell German (13-4; 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 11 SO); LP–Ellie Flanagan (21-8, 6.33 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO).

LOB–Martensdale-St. Mary’s 4, North Linn 9; 2B–NL: Jill Smith; HR–NL: Smith; MSM: Jackie Kleve; SACF–MSM: Brynnly German; SB–MSM: Brynnly German; NL: Bryn Collum (2).