Honors: Mustangs’ highlight Lindsay

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High softball coach Rick Buonarigo appeared

puzzled when he tried to answer the question of who will be his No. 1

pitcher next year.

“You can’t replace Tess Lindsay,” Buonarigo answered, providing a

glimpse of what the Costa Mesa senior meant for the Mustangs.

Linsday, who contributed sound leadership as the lone senior on the

Mustangs softball team, has been named Costa Mesa’s Girls Athlete of the

Year. She was more than the pitcher; she led by example, Buonarigo said.

Lindsay helped lead Mesa to the CIF Southern Section Division IV

playoffs this season. She posted a 1.13 ERA, four shutouts and 63

strikeouts, while earning a 17-9 record. She also received first-team

All-Pacific Coast League recognition, after going 7-3 in league and

serving up a 0.79 ERA.

Just as she was for the Mustangs, Lindsay will be the only senior on

this year’s Newport-Mesa All-District team. She made the squad last year,

as well, when she led the Mustangs to a CIF Division IV wild-card playoff

game. As a junior, the hard-throwing left-hander earned second-team

All-PCL laurels and finished the season with a 10-9 record, a 2.63 ERA

and 59 strikeouts in 122 1/2 innings.

Lindsay will continue to display her love for softball and her drive

to be the best at Santa Ana College next year.