The score was 11-0 and senior Lindsey Brush had only 3 more pitches before her first career perfect game. And with freshman Kally Batesole urging her to “go for 15,” Brush pushed forward.

“In the last inning, I saw my dad in the dug-out and I wanted to pitch for him,” Brush said. “He has been everything to me; he has been my coach, supporter and mentor. He never gave up on me even when I was injured and not playing well.”

However, shoulder surgery nearly ended Brush’s season before it got started.

“Even after surgery, the pain in my shoulder made pitching difficult,” Brush said. “But I kept pushing forward and pitched through the pain.”

Kenny Brush has supported his daughter through each phase of her softball career. At seven, Kenny taught Lindsey to pitch by having her stand on his feet, held her arm, and helped her throw.

“Dad taught me the steps and he walked me through the motions, the drag and the finish,” Brush said. “I pushed through the pain today because of dad and I knew this was the last time I would play at home.”

In her last home game of high school, Brush had 12 strikeouts, and was walked twice at bat. After the last call strike she and the team ran to the dugout to celebrate. Brush pitched the first perfect game in campus history. It was fitting the historic moment came on senior day.

“In the last inning I was nervous,” Brush said. “I threw a couple of balls and kept telling myself to relax. It’s a bit weird but talking to myself helps.”

Last year Brush also had an opportunity to pitch a perfect game but an error in the last inning spoiled the day.

“I just recently started catching for Lindsey and it definitely has been a privilege to play with her again,” junior Christina Cabias said. “We played together on a traveling team when we were 12. It has been so fun to play again. I’m glad Lindsey and the rest of the team finished strong.”

Next year Brush will be attending Fresno City College and hopes to pitch for the Rams.

For those who wish to see the team in action, they will have to travel outside of Fresno, as the final five games of the season will be away. Softball will play at Fowler High School on May 2 and at Firebaugh High School on May 4.