SOFTBALL: Costa Mesa cruises, 11-1

Bryce Alderton

COSTA MESA - Starting pitching and strong hitting meshed for Costa

Mesa High’s softball team, as the Mustangs stymied Estancia in a Pacific

Coast League game Thursday at TeWinkle Park.

Senior starter Tess Lindsay allowed only one hit and one run in six

innings to record her 16th victory, and led Costa Mesa to 16-8, 6-2 in

league, with only two games remaining before the CIF playoffs.

Her battery mate, freshman Lauren DeMello, called pitches for the

first time Thursday. Costa Mesa assistant coach Luis Vasquez usually

calls the pitches, but has been working with Lindsay and DeMello

recently.

DeMello settled down after some initial butterflies.

“Tess struck some girls out so it gave me confidence,” DeMello said.

“She was throwing (breaking balls) perfectly. It’s good to know that I

can call a pitch and she can throw where I want it.”

Lindsay struck out four.

Costa Mesa scored two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead

after sophomore Jane-E Yamamoto reached base on an Estancia throwing

error, scoring sophomore left fielder Uyen Mai, who went 2 for 4 with an

RBI and two stolen bases.

Yamamoto and Topps each went 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

Yamamoto’s other two RBIs came on hits up the middle in the third and

fourth innings. Topps’ three RBIs came with one swing of the bat in the

fifth, as she lined a shot over the center fielder’s head, scoring

freshman right fielder Kelly Topps and junior Alejandra Gallardo (both

had reached on singles) for an inside-the-park home run, her fifth

four-bagger of the season.

The Mustangs’ were active on the base paths Thursday, stealing six

bases, and now have 97 for the season.

“They’re all fast,” said Costa Mesa Coach Rick Buonarigo. “The girls

can have a lot of options at the plate.”

Junior catcher Gaby Acosta doubled in the second, and scored

Estancia’s run on junior left fielder Xochitl Byfield’s RBI groundout to

second.

Costa Mesa wraps up league play next week with games against Corona

del Mar (tied with the Mustangs for second place behind Northwood), and

Laguna Beach.

Costa Mesa hosts CdM Monday at 3:15 p.m. at TeWinkle Park in Costa

Mesa and travels to Laguna Beach Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.

Estancia finishes the year hosting Laguna Beach Monday at 3:15 p.m.,

and visits University Wednesday at 3:15 p.m.

Pacific Coast LeagueCosta Mesa 11, Estancia 1

Estancia 010 000 - 1 1 2 Costa Mesa 202 331 - 11 14 4

Ockey and Acosta; Lindsay and DeMello. W - Lindsay, 16-8. L - Ockey.

2B - Acosta (E),Yamamoto (CM). HR - Topps (CM).