Emily Koranda doesn’t overpower, but dominates in Linn-Mar’s regional-semifinal victory

MARION — They are synonyms, “dominate” and “overpower.”

Saturday night, Emily Koranda was able to accomplish one, without the other.

The sophomore pitcher counted a modest three strikeouts, but was still masterful, hurling a one-hit, no-walk shutout as ninth-ranked Linn-Mar blanked Cedar Rapids Prairie, 2-0, in a Class 5A softball regional semifinal at Oak Ridge Middle School.

“She threw a great game,” Lions assistant coach Maddy Colbert said. “She’s a great pitcher who knows how to pitch to her advantage.”

Even if she’s not mowing down batters.

Koranda (14-5) allowed only four baserunners (two consecutive hit batsmen in the first inning, an infield single in the third and on an error in the fourth, and also capped the hostesses’ lone scoring rally as the Lions (24-11) advanced to Tuesday’s regional final at No. 6 Pleasant Valley, a 4-3 winner over No. 14 Dubuque Senior.

“I just went in, hit spots and spun the ball,” Koranda said. “My changeup kept them off-balance.”

  Buy Photo

Koranda induced 11 flyouts, six groundouts and one lineout. Nobody from Prairie (22-19) advanced beyond second base all night.

Colbert will serve as acting coach for the rest of Linn-Mar’s tournament run. Head coach Lindsey Murray gave birth to twin girls earlier this week.

“We talk all the time,” Colbert said. “She called around 6 o’clock (about an hour before the first pitch).”

The conversation was brief: “She said good luck,” Colbert said.

Recommended Reading

Delivery day approaches: Lindsey Murray, Linn-Mar prepare for transition

Hayden Koutny, Linn-Mar’s No. 9 hitter, had two of the Lions’ five hits and ignited their scoring rally in the third inning.

With one out, Koutny singled. She was erased on Emma Barnes’ fielder’s choice for the second out, but Addie Gralund’s double scored the Lions’ first run and Koranda’s single plated the second.

“Hannah puts the ball in play a lot,” Colbert said. “She does a good job getting on base.”

Koutny said, “I don’t like to think a lot (at the plate). I just go with my mechanics, go with what I’m taught.”

Koranda joined Koutny with two hits.

“I try to make good contact,” she said. “After Addie got her (double), I had to follow it up.”

Hannah Rudd had the Hawks’ lone hit. Koranda retired the final 11 batters she faced.

Linn-Mar 2, Cedar Rapids Prairie 0

Class 5A Regional Semifinal, at Oak Ridge Middle School

C.R. Prairie 000 000 0 — 0 1 2

Linn-Mar 002 000 x — 2 5 1

Danielle Klees and Lola Hawkins. Emily Koranda and Madi Wells. W — Koranda (14-5). L — Klees (12-11).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com