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Linn-Mar defeats Dallas Center-Grimes in Linn-Mar/Alburnett Softball Invitational championship
The Lions defeated Class 3A No. 3 Mount Vernon in Friday's quarterfinal round, then blanked Class 4A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7-0, in the Linn-Mar/Alburnett Softball Invitational semifinal played on Saturday.
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MARION - All they could do last year was sit, watch and cheer.
Injuries kept Linn-Mar's Emily Koranda and Emma Barnes out of action the entire 2024 softball season. Both seniors were anxious for a return to the field this year.
"Obviously we both have big roles on this team," Koranda said. "We've stepped up because we know it is our last season."
As two of four seniors on the roster, the duo has more than done their fair share for the Lions, ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. Their leadership was on full display Saturday in the championship game of the Linn-Mar/Alburnett Tournament against Class 4A No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes.
Barnes and Koranda had back-to-back run-scoring hits in a two-run third inning. Then, after a fifth-inning, two-out single from Mallory Palmer drove home what proved to be the winning run, Koranda retired the final five batters, three on strikeouts as the Lions prevailed, 3-2, at the Oak Ridge Middle School Softball Complex..
Coach Maddy Colbert's team (23-4) met every challenge throughout a tough weekend to win their own tournament for the first time ever. They defeated Class 3A No. 3 Mount Vernon in Friday's quarterfinal round, then blanked Class 4A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier, 7-0, in the semifinal played on Saturday.
"It's a huge win for us," Colbert said. "This tournament, the field has only gotten tougher over the past five years or so. We're just so full of pride in the way these girls played today and have played all year."
With Barnes (foot injury) and Koranda (torn ACL) on the sidelines last summer, the Lions finished 19-20 with a roster loaded with underclassmen, all of whom gained valuable experience. With Barnes at shortstop and Koranda splitting time between the circle and first base, the Lions have been among the state's best from the jump.
"Honestly, I'm surprised how good we have been," Barnes said. "I knew we would be good, but I never thought we'd be this good."
Colbert said Barnes and Koranda both put in the hard work to return to form.
"I think this season has been a full-circle moment for both of them," said the Linn-Mar coach. "Having to sit and watch (all last season) and seeing us at these tournaments against all these hard teams was hard for them.
"I know they are both so thankful for their teammates," Colbert continued. "They supported them last year when they couldn't play and now they are giving the support and leadership back to the younger players. It has been great to see."
Saturday's title game saw the Lions score twice in the second on six hits, which included two runners being thrown out at the plate. Dallas Center-Grimes tied the game in the top of the fifth when Sophia Bauman launched a homer over the left field fence.
Palmer's game-winner was a sharp two-out single up the middle that brought home Hayden Koutny from second base.
In the semifinal win over Xavier, Annie Cassidy had the big hit, a two-run homer and freshman Brynna Gander shut down the potent Saints offense.
Xavier will be back at Linn-Mar on Monday for a key Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader.
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