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Ed Tunstall’s voice cracked with emotion as he discussed his favorite part of being the Esperanza softball coach.
“Don’t get me started,” he said, trying to move along the conversation.
Tunstall said he especially relished the interaction with his players, and that’s what made his announcement on Wednesday difficult.
After 21 seasons leading one of Orange County’s most successful softball programs, Tunstall, 75, retired from high school coaching.
He plans to transition into coaching the teams of his grandson and granddaughter in youth baseball and softball.
“It was a hard decision,” Tunstall said of departing Esperanza. “I hate leaving the girls.”
Tunstall highlighted his tenure by guiding Esperanza to the CIF-SS Division 1 title in 2021, the only section title in school history.
The Aztecs defeated Roosevelt 3-2 in the championship. CalHiSports selected Tunstall its state coach of the year after the season.
In 2018, Tunstall earned The Register’s Orange County coach of the year award after snapping a three-year playoff drought by leading Esperanza to the Division 2 semifinals.
Tunstall led the Aztecs to 12 league titles and compiled a 352-173-3 record.
This past season, Esperanza finished 15-12 and ranked 15th in Orange County. The Aztecs lost to JSerra 11-1 in the CIF-SS Division 1 wild card round.
Next month, Tunstall will be elected into the Orange County Softball Hall of Fame.
He coached four years at the lower-levels at Esperanza before becoming the head coach.
Tunstall’s tenure also included coaching his daughter Amy, a catcher and 2006 graduate who played at Boston College.
Esperanza sent dozens of other players into the college ranks under Tunstall. This past season, he mentored Florida-bound Taylor Shumaker.
The senior center fielder is the only starter graduating for the Aztecs.
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