TROY MILLS — Sixth-ranked North Linn got out to a 7-0 lead and held off North Tama for an 11-3 win over the Redhawks in the July 5 District 5 baseball semifinal.

North Tama (10-13) scored three times in the top of the fourth inning to cut into the deficit, but that was all the Redhawks could manage. North Linn (25-4) advances to host East Buchanan (13-9) in Saturday’s district final.

North Tama notched just four hits in its season-ending defeat, highlighted by Henry Hansen’s three-run double in the fourth. Kolt Knaack, Kayler Morris and Tyler Popelka all scored on the hit. Morris finished 2-for-3 at the plate while Knaack also had a single.

Josh Dostal took the loss on the mound, allowing seven runs — six earned — on six hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out one. Hansen pitched the final three frames, allowing four runs — three earned — on two hits, four walks and a hit batsman. He struck out three.

Winning pitcher Mason Bechen was 2-for-2 with a triple and three runs scored to lead North Linn. In three innings on the mound, Bechen allowed one hit and struck out six. Corbin Woods allowed just one hit in 3 1/3 innings of relief, striking out two.