Softball

SYDNEY ANDERSON NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

SYDNEY ANDERSON NAMED FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN
Posted: Jun 03, 2022

Ottumwa, IA – Freshman Sydney Anderson (Elkhart, IA/North Polk) has been selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-American team, announced by the organization on Friday. Anderson joins teammate Destiny Lewis (Indianola, IA/Indianola) as First-Team NFCA All-Americans.

Anderson emerged as one of the premier offensive players at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) DI level. The freshman broke onto the scene during the 2022 season and capped her rookie campaign with 31 home runs, tied for the school record with Lewis. Anderson helped lead the Warriors to the all-time single season team home run record with 126.

"Sydney became something special this year at the plate and all around as a player," stated head coach Lindsay Diehl. "Her power separates her but Sydney hit for both average and power and was an everyday anchor in our lineup. Sydney's work ethic will make her want more coming back for her sophomore season. She will be a great leader coming back in our lineup."

Anderson, who was selected as the first baseman for the NFCA First-Team All-American squad, ranked second on the Warrior team with a .478 batting average, 88 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 88 hits. Anderson finished the year ranked inside the top-10 in seven offensive statistical categories in Warrior program history.

Along with the first-team All-American recognition, Anderson was recognized as the NJCAA Region XI DI Softball Offensive Player of the Year and was named to the NFCA Midwest Region First-Team and the NJCAA All-Region XI First-Team. Anderson was also recognized twice during the year as the NJCAA National Player of the Week.

Anderson and Lewis become the seventh and eighth individuals in Indian Hills Softball history to earn NFCA First-Team All-American honors. The Warriors have now earned three NFCA First-Team All-American honors in the last two seasons after Nicole Bellis was awarded the honor in 2021. The freshman duo becomes the 19th and 20th individuals to earn NFCA All-American honors overall dating back to the 2001 season.

The two NFCA First-Team All-American picks are just the second time in school history that the Warriors earned two first-team honorees. The 2004 program was represented on the NFCA First-Team All-American squad by Shanna Cook and Heather Parsons. 2022 marks just the fifth time in school history that the Warriors have received multiple NFCA All-American awards.

To read more about Destiny Lewis earning NFCA First-Team All-American honors, visit: LEWIS NAMED NFCA FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

Anderson helped lead the Warriors to the NJCAA DI Softball Region XI Championship and a runner-up finish in the 2022 NJCAA DI Softball Midwest District Championship. The Warriors finished the year with a 46-10 record.

To see the full list of the 2022 NFCA All-American teams, visit: 2022 NFCA ALL-AMERICANS