Anderson signs with Indian Hills

WINFIELD — The Indian Hills softball team picked up one of the most prestigious players in Southeast Iowa this week, when Winfield-Mount Union’s Madie Anderson hopped on board.

Anderson signed her letter of intent to attend and play softball at Indian Hills after the Wolves’ 3-1 win over Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division rival Highland on Monday.

“"I chose it because of the coach,” Anderson said. “I like the culture that she has created.”

Indeed, coach Lindsay Diehl has put together quite the team over in Ottumwa. Indian Hills went 41-13 overall this season and 29-9 in conference play. The Warriors have won their region in each of the following six seasons.

“I like the way they play because I think it’s something that we have here,” Anderson said. “I want to continue to have that at a place that is such a high level, and they definitely have that at Indian Hills.”

And Anderson has had plenty of time in the high school spotlight to help her at the next level. This season, she is 8-2 with a 0.78 ERA and 114 strikeouts. She has been the Wolves’ ace since Day 1, starting 20 of the team’s 28 games in her eighth-grade year and starting every game but one for the Wolves in the last four seasons.

Since Anderson’s eighth-grade year, the team has recorded 51 wins. She was the winning pitcher in every one of those games. In her five years as the Wolves’ ace, she has recorded 945 strikeouts and counting.

“She spins it well and has a good presence when she is in the circle,” said Coach Diehl. “Her attitude on the mound is impressive when things go bad. She’s a great kid.”

Diehl says she sees Indian Hills as a good place for Anderson to start her college career.

“I think we are a good platform for her to be seen and get an opportunity to go somewhere big after us,” Diehl said.

Anderson says she is undecided about which classes to take, but she likes physical therapy. She has accumulated enough college credits to take some more specific classes and learn what field will most interest her.

“I think that gives me the chance to take classes that will help me decide what I like and what I don’t like,” Anderson said.

WMU is currently 8-2 on the season and 6-1 in conference play.