Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics

A change of scenery proved to be beneficial for both Lindsey Thompson and the Northeast Mississippi Community College softball program at a critical time in its history.

Thompson spent her freshman year at Meridian Community College, but returned closer to her hometown of Mooreville once Northeast made the switch from slow-pitch to fast-pitch competition.

She was instrumental in helping the Tigers establish themselves as a perennial power in their fledgling years. Northeast rose to as high as No. 5 in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II rankings that very first season.

Thompson and the Tigers went on to claim a share of the inaugural Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division championship alongside East Mississippi Community College.

Northeast compiled a 28-12 overall record plus a 16-4 mark against division opponents. The Tigers concluded their outstanding year with a run to the semifinals of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament.

Thompson was well decorated for her role in Northeast's success. She was recognized by head coach David Carnell as one of two team captains along with Kelly Livingston and earned the Tigers' most valuable player (MVP) award.

The every day catcher for Northeast obtained All-American distinction from both the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and the NJCAA. She was an All-Region 23 and all-conference performer as well.

Thompson posted a .438 batting average and a .508 on-base percentage, which were both second best on the team. Those figures are still fifth best in a single season in program history.

She continued her career on the diamond at the University of North Alabama. Thompson received All-Gulf South Conference (GSC) second-team accolades during each of her two years with the Lions.

Thompson led the Lions in several statistical categories offensively while also handling their pitching staff from behind the plate. She topped North Alabama as a junior with five home runs and 33 RBIs.

She had a team-best .293 batting average and 11 doubles during her senior campaign. Thompson was also the Lions' most patient batter with 40 combined walks over two seasons.

Thompson served North Alabama as an assistant coach as well. She instructed Megan Garst, who secured consecutive conference pitcher of the year honors from 2018-19.

She was a state champion at Mooreville High School in 1999. Thompson was named to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal all-area lineup and participated in the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) All-Star Game.