PCM’s Vande Wall signs with Bulldogs

PCM senior Lindsey Vande Wall signed a scholarship to play softball for Drake University on Friday. Troy Hyde/Daily News

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MONROE — For five years, PCM senior Lindsey Vande Wall has been a staple to the Mustang softball program. She will be a five-year starter this year, has already made four all-conference teams, two all-district teams and was a first-team all-state shortstop last year. Friday, she made sure she would continue her softball career beyond PCM, inking her name to a scholarship offer from Drake University. “It feels good,” Vande Wall said. “It’s a weight lifted off my shoulders.” Vande Wall said she chose Drake over one other school. And the reason she chose the Bulldogs involved academics and reputation. “It’s a really good academics school,” said Vande Wall, who ranks in the top five of her graduating class with a near 4.00 grade point average. “The softball reputation is good. And I like the coaches.” Vande Wall becomes the second Mustang in two years under PCM coach Cathy Hayden to sign a Division I softball scholarship. Emily Gilbert is currently playing at Iowa State University. “It speaks highly of the work ethic of the kids at this school,” Hayden said. “They put forth the extra effort. Lindsey has been a leader since she stepped in the building at PCM.” Hayden said Vande Wall’s biggest asset is her versatility. She plays shortstop for the Mustangs during the season but also has played centerfield and is capable of playing any position in the infield. She will enter Drake University as a utility player. The Mustangs went 28-7 last season and were ranked as high as eighth in the Class 2A polls. This year, Vande Wall’s goal is for PCM to get to the state tournament in her final season. Vande Wall doesn’t only excel on the softball diamond. She also has competed in the state track meet twice and will be a returning all-stater on the hardwood this basketball season. She plans on living on campus at Drake, majoring in elementary education and eventually may coach softball or basketball. “The biggest change from high school to college will be just having longer seasons and longer practices,” Vande Wall said. Hayden said Vande Wall should be prepared to change a lot of things about her softball game. “They will re-do everything,” Hayden said. “They will re-do her swing, her throw, everything. But she’ll like that. She wants to do things the Drake way.” Hayden also expects Vande Wall to play right away. “She’s a gamer,” Hayden said. “She wants to be there when the game is tight.”