Hard work paying off for Linn-Mar’s Emily Koranda

MARION — Linn-Mar sophomore pitcher Emily Koranda’s confidence and leadership skills are helping the Lions compete for their goal this season.

”(We hope) to go back to state,” Koranda said.

After having to become a leader this year after the Lions lost five seniors last year, Koranda has embraced her role and been able to have a lot of success this season.

“I want to help my team however I can,” she said.

Koranda started taking softball seriously when she was 10 years old.

“My dad inspired me the most,” Koranda said.

She has had tons of success this year, becoming a stat leader in pitching and hitting in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Koranda has been able to increase her batting average from a .331 last season to an impressive .459 batting average this season.

“I just put in a lot of work during the offseason,” Koranda said. “I have just been pushing myself much more and stepping into the leadership role that I had to take in this year.”

She has the most hits in the Mississippi Division at 50.

“I actually didn't know that, that's like cool,” Koranda said. “I am grateful that I was given this ability to do so. All my work is paying off.”

Koranda credits her patience when hitting. She has the third best on base percentage in the MVC at .491.

“(When batting) mainly I am just looking for my pitch,” Koranda said. “I want to do it for my team.”

Not only is Koranda one of the best hitters in the MVC, she also is one of the best pitchers. Koranda has the third best ERA in the MVC at 1.79.

She said the key to keeping a low ERA is by throwing her go-to pitch.

“My go-to pitch is probably my rise ball. It's my pitch that moves the most and I get the batters swinging,” Koranda said. “Then I can throw a drop or change-up to get them to make weak contact and let my teammates make the plays for me.”

Koranda has the most wins in the MVC with 14. She has trust and confidence with herself at the mound and is able to win so many games by “mainly just relying on my work that I put in.”

She credits her team for helping her get the most wins in the MVC.

“Trusting my defense, then trusting my offense as well to get the runs for me so that we can win,” Koranda said. “Also trusting my coaches because they know what's best.”

The Lions play at Pleasant Valley on Tuesday for a trip to the state tournament. Regardless of the outcome, Koranda and her team have many goals they hope to accomplish in the next few seasons.

“Next year, we want to go back to state and be conference champs,” she said.