Autumn Anderson has left her mark as one of the best and most accomplished Hope College softball players.
The senior from Dorr, Michigan (Wayland HS) became the Flying Dutch's third four-time All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honoree after being named first-team all-league for the 2016 season.
Anderson, pictured, joins three other Hope players to accomplish the feat: Jessica Regnerus (2005-08), Laurie Byington (1993-96) and Dianne Brown (1986-89).
Anderson is one of 12 MIAA players to receive first-team honors this season.
To be first team All-MIAA for all four seasons of her career says something about Anderson's talent and consistency, Hope coach Mary VandeHoef said.
"She will go down as one of the best to ever play Hope softball," VandeHoef said. "It has been fun to coach her because she is the perfect fit for the style we play."
Hope's leadoff hitter batted .348 this season, including .321 in MIAA games. She totaled 49 hits in 41 games to give her 199 in her career.
Anderson set the Flying Dutch's career stolen base record with 75.
Anderson was a multi-sport athlete at Hope who was named the MIAA's Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year this winter.
Three Hope players earned All-MIAA second-team honors: junior outfielder Sammi Adams of Griffith, Indiana (Griffith HS), sophomore pitcher Sydney Jones of South Lyon, Michigan (South Lyon East HS) and sophomore second baseman Sierra Mutschler of Wayland, Michigan (Wayland HS).
Adams is hands down one of the top defensive outfielders in the MIAA, VandeHoef said.
"She runs down balls other outfielders wouldn't have a shot at, and her arm is the best in the league," VandeHoef said. "She is also a dual threat at the plate, so she's a tough out for teams at the plate because of the combination of speed and power.
Jones is one of the top pitchers in the MIAA, VandeHoef said.
"She is fiercely competitive and is the type of pitcher who isn't afraid of the big moment," VandeHoef said.
Mutschler had a very consistent year at the plate," VandeHoef said.
"Her power has the ability to change a game in a moment's notice but she's not just a hitter," VandeHoef said. "She executes and runs the bases well, also. She plays incredibly solid at second base and has become a leader in our infield."
