Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

IOWA CITY – In her first two varsity seasons Ayana Lindsey was a central piece in the resurgence of the City High softball program.

City High went from 12 wins to 20 when Lindsey was an eighth grader and made a huge leap a year ago winning 25 games and snapping a 17-year state tournament drought.

For City High to take the next step and become one of the state’s elite programs Lindsey knew she had to make a jump from a good pitcher to a bona fide ace.

After an off season loaded with softball workouts Lindsey has made that step this season and, in the process, helped the Little Hawks ascend to new levels.

“I worked all offseason, I worked harder than I ever have before just to become a better player,” Lindsey said. “I wanted to become a player that I knew our team could count on.”

During a breakthrough sophomore season Lindsey has established herself as one of the top all-around players in the state.

She ranks in the top seven in the state in a host of statistical categories while helping City High (34-7) to its first Mississippi Valley Conference title since 1998 and the first back-to-back state tournament berths in program history.

“There is nothing she can’t do,” City High fifth-year head coach Jeff Koenig said. “She’s a special talent.”

Lindsey leads the state in runs, ranks second in the state and first in 5A in home runs and is top five in 5A in stolen bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. She owns a staggering OPS of 1.615.

It is the work that Lindsey has done in the circle this season that has helped City High reach new heights.
After posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 286 combined innings during her first two varsity season Lindsey has developed into the ace that City High needed.

“I think it helps a lot knowing that team can rely on me to come through,” Lindsey said. “I know they have my back to so I know it’s not all on me. They are great behind me.”

Lindsey was 23-22 during her first two seasons but has posted a 19-3 record in her breakout season and ranks fourth in Class 5A with a career-best 1.23 ERA.

She has dropped her walks from 57 a year ago to 35 this season and struck out 159, seventh most in 5A.

Opponents are hitting just .163 against Lindsey this season which also ranks seventh among 5A pitchers.

“This year has been a little different,” Lindsey said. “I worked a lot in offseason just working on hitting spots, it’s still a little iffy, I’m still working on it but I feel like I’ve improved.”

Lindsey has gotten better as the season has gone on.

Three of her seven shutouts this season have come in her past four appearances including a four-hit shutout of No. 11 Dubuque Hempstead in the regional title game.

Lindsey has a .28 ERA and has allowed 11 hits while striking out 29 in her last 25 innings.

“She has taken the next step,” Koenig said. “For whatever reason she has just settled into that role.

Along with the improvement on the mound Lindsey has become perhaps the most dangerous leadoff hitter in the state.

She is one of only two players state wide with double digit home runs and more than 30 steals.

Lindsey leads 5A and ranks second in the state with 18 home runs and her 31 stolen bases are fifth most in 5A.

Her .480 batting average is tops on the team and more than 125 than her previous career-best average.

“Ayana is stepping up in the circle and there is a confidence factor that goes along with that,” Koenig said. “Her hitting has stepped up and I think she’s just feeling more and more comfortable.”

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