Hope College has a first team softball All-American for the second year in-a-row.
Senior first baseman Kelli Duimstra of Hudsonville, Mich. has been named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-America team.
"Kelli was the backbone of our team this year," said coach Karla Wolters. "When our only other senior went down the a torn ACL injury in Florida, Kelli picked us up and kept our team focused on the field. She was also our clutch player on offense and defense. She came through time after time with a big hit or a big play on defense.
"It was very special that Kelli received not only our team MVP award, but also the league MVP and now an All-American. There were many great players in our league this year, all worthy of the MVP award, but Kelli was the best of the best; a record setter, a clutch player, a calm leader in times of adversity. She will be remembered as one of the best players Hope has ever had both on offense and defense."
Duimstra becomes Hope 13th NFCA All-American. A year ago Kylee Brouwer was named a first team All-American at designated hitter. Both Brouwer and Duimstra are graduates of Hudsonville High School. The Flying Dutch have had seven All-America selections this decade.
Duimstra this spring was voted the most valuable position player in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). A two-time All-MIAA first team honoree, Duimstra this spring set an MIAA record for home runs (7) as she batted .442. For the season she batted .434, tied the school record for home runs (10) and set a new Hope mark for total bases (97). She was also outstanding defensively with a .992 fielding average.
She has also been honored as a scholar-athlete by being named to the CoSIDA district all-academic team. A geology major and psychology minor, Duimstra maintained a 3.76 cumulative grade point average. As a junior she received an education department award for academic achievement in science and mathematics.
The honor roll of Hope's softball All-Americans includes -- Johanna Pscodna (1992, 2b); Deb Vashaw (1992 & 1993, c); Laurie Byington (1993, 1994 & 1996, cf); Nicki Mannes (1995, p); Keri Roelofs (1995, p); Amy Moeckel (1996, c); Wendy Moore (1996, if); Carrie Scott (1999 & 2001, c); Emily Adams (2005, ss); Jessica Regnerus (2005, cf); Candace Graham (2005, of) Kylee Brouwer (2006, & 2008, dh), and Kelli Duimstra (1b).