'From the moment I put a softball in my hand, I only wanted to make him proud'

For New Riegel senior star pitcher Kayleigh Lininger, making it to state was always her goal. Now that Lininger and the Blue Jackets have achieved that goal, the focus turns to winning the whole thing — and just making her dad proud. Father and coach of the Blue Jackets, Jamie Lininger, is bringing a team to state for the third time in his career.In 2015, his older daughter Jacquelyn, was a freshman on the team that made it to state. Kayleigh was a team manager."We have a good group of seniors who have been to regionals before, but I think team managers were Kayleigh, Aubrey (Bouillon) and Jordan (Hohman) in the team pic for the 2015 team that went," Jamie Lininger said. "So this is their dream I'd think to be in there their uniform now instead of just being managers, so it's neat to see."Kayleigh has been dominant this season, holding superior offenses in check, including limiting Gibsonburg to just one run in 21 innings. With her dominance in the circle and a sound defense behind her, it's no secret why the Blue Jackets are a step away from a state title chance."The chemistry of this team is insane, really, and we all get along so well," Kayleigh said. "I think that's a big reason to our success. Especially Aubrey, I'm going to miss her so much next year. The bond we have as a pitcher and shortstop is ... after every game we hug and I just have chills right now talking about it. Everyone loves everyone and that's a big reason why we are so successful."Bouillon agreed: "Kayleigh has been so much fun to play with and I've played with her in travel sports and everything, just being behind her knowing that I have to make the plays when she needs me to, and just the confidence I have in her … she's just doing amazing," she said. "She's a stud. I'm gonna miss playing with her."For Kayleigh's whole career — which will end with setting the school record in wins as a team and as a pitcher (29-1) — coach Lininger was there either in the dugout or as a fan."I was driving to the golf course yesterday and one of my favorite songs came on the radio, 'Humble and Kind' by Tim McGraw," coach Lininger said. "There's a part in there that says 'When the work you put in is realized.' I just kind of teared up a little bit. That kid has put in so much time week in and week out, getting better. "And ever since she was little, 'Dad can we pitch?' I would say to my older daughter 'Jacquelyn, let's go pitch.' I couldn't get Kayleigh off the mound in our backyard. She's worked so hard and she deserves this, so to see her get to state with her team, it's just very fulfilling."Jamie said being just a parent was different than being Kayleigh's coach."It's just special. Watching her, I was always one where in travel ball, I wouldn't go behind the plate. I would go out in left field so I'd just make comments to myself," he said. "I'd never try to yell anything at her. If I thought she was struggling like when she was younger I'd tell her 'Just relax, you got this, you're good.' But if I wasn't the coach, it does your kid no good just screaming at them all the time, which I see so often. "As a coach it's different. I'll give her some crap here and there when I think she needs it. She's good at making fun of me, stomping around, swearing and saying, 'How can you walk someone on four pitches?' But it's been really neat and she's a good kid."On the flip side, there are some notions that being a coach's kid is easier.According to Kayleigh, this isn't the case."I feel like people think it's easier being the coach's daughter, but the coaching doesn't stop when you leave the field," she said with a smile. "We laugh about it, but when he mumbles, as his daughter I know what he's saying, but it's also great like moments after the game after a big win, we're both crying. "It's unbelievable because from the moment I put a softball in my hand, I only wanted to make him proud. Just knowing going to state with it being his last year of coaching, I'm so glad it was ended like this and with me as the pitcher."To say coach Lininger is proud of Kayleigh might be an understatement. The four-sport star and valedictorian will be heading to Ohio State and try out for the rowing team, according to Jamie."She works at everything," he said. "I'm proud of her. Sunday she graduated as valedictorian and she's going to try rowing at Ohio State, apparently, not going to play softball. I thought that would be perfect for her. "It started as a joke as I got an email from the OSU rowing coach as every AD in Ohio did and I forwarded it to her, but she was interested and she wanted to know if I'd nominate her for it. I told the guy, this is a kid that lettered in four sports and she works at everything. She'll get up at 6 a.m. in the morning and go to a Planet Fitness, she's just like her dad, all about fitness," he said with a laugh. "She's a very focused individual. A great kid and fun to be around."After this weekend, a state champion might be added to the list of achievements.