A pair of runs in the first inning was just enough for North Linn here Wednesday night, as the Lynx held off Clarksville to return to the Class 1A finals, 2-1.

North Linn will meet Martensdale-St. Marys on Friday night at Rogers Park for gold.

Ellie Flanagan, battling an injury suffered earlier this year, allowed just three hits with six strikeouts and no walks for her second win of the week and 25th on the season.

Jersey Peyton provided the runs, driving in Skyler Benesh with a home run. Benesh reached base twice with walks, while eighth-grader Lily Rehberg had two hits.

Clarksville cut into the deficit in the fifth with a run, but that was all they would get.