Emilee Linder makes jump from small high school to Kirkwood softball program

CEDAR RAPIDS — Emilee Linder realized it would be a big jump from a small high school to a college softball program.

She had a good idea of how to make that transition, following the lead of a few teammates who pushed her from the early moments she stepped on Kirkwood’s campus.

“I think I knew coming here you’re not going to be at the top of your team anymore,” the Eagles sophomore from Pekin said. “Everybody is the same and you have to work every single day.”

Linder’s work ethic and attitude have propelled her into a leadership role for Kirkwood this season, ranking among the team’s top hitters. She helped the Eagles to 21-1 and 13-2 five-inning victories over Ellsworth Monday in their first home series.

Linder belted five hits, including two home runs, with eight RBIs and three runs. She added a triple, double and closed with an RBI infield single.

“She hit some changeups really well,” Kirkwood Coach Eric Frese said. “Whether it’s a rise ball or changeup, she’s done a really good job of making those adjustments in her career.”

Frese said he has witnessed the improvement from day one in the program. He praised her approach and the biggest boost has come from confidence with practice and games.

“There are doubts at times when you get to this level,” Frese said. “Her work ethic is off the chart. She loves to play. She loves to come to practice every day. Whether she’s in a good mood, bad mood or average mood, you’ll never know because she just comes with a great attitude on a daily basis.”

Linder was quick to credit her teammates, making it fun to train and put in the effort. The way players make each other better is a calling card of the Eagles program. She has reaped the rewards.

“I think everybody on this team pushes each other,” Linder said. “We care about each other and I think that’s been a key to success at Kirkwood, in general, not just individually.”

Linder fills the third spot in the batting order, which is routinely reserved for a team’s top hitter, and handles the hot corner. As a sophomore, she embraces the role as a leader, replacing a pair of role models from last season.

“I enjoy being a leader for my teammates,” Linder said. “I had two great ones to look up to last year in Rand (Carter) and Sydney (Albaugh). They were awesome. I knew some of us were going to have to step up this year.

“I hope my teammates can look to me, not just because of the way I play, but the kind of person you are, too. I think that’s really important.”

Linder raised her batting average to .363. She has a team-best 33 RBIs and is second with 33 hits, including 14 extra-base hits. She leads the Eagles with five triples and is second with 28 runs. Linder doubled her home-run production, increasing her season total to four with a two-run shot in the third of the opener and a three-run blast in the second of Game 2.

“Something switched and I felt like a whole new person,” Linder said. “I’ve struggled with my confidence at the beginning of the year. I struggled with it a little bit last year. Once you get a hit like that and you see your teammates doing it, too, you just feel different.”

Kirkwood (19-9) battered Ellsworth pitchers. Five Eagles hit home runs. Austyn Crees also had two home runs in the twin bill. Grace Lubben, Brooke Kilburg and Chelsea Buck had home runs. Kirkwood tallied 33 total hits, including 17 in the nightcap.

They showed no rust after an eight-day layoff between games.

“Once one person gets a big hit everybody starts hitting,” Linder said. “Just to be at home for the first time this year it was a great atmosphere. Your energy is way different. It’s just a different day. I felt as a team that we were on today. It makes it easy to play when you have a great team around you.”