Eventually, she got to see him sign his letter of intent to play college baseball.

On Wednesday, Folkema got her chance to follow in his footsteps.

Folkema became the newest member of the Alpena Community College softball team after signing her own letter of intent in front of friends and family at Park Arena.

“It’s exciting. It’s been a dream of mine to play college sports, especially softball,” Folkema said. “I enjoy softball, I enjoy watching baseball, I enjoy literally enjoy everything about baseball and softball.”

News Photo by James Andersen Annah Folkema signs her letter of intent to play softball at Alpena Community College on Wednesday as her parents Eric and Ginger look on.

Folkema, a Big Rapids High School graduate, will join ACC next season as she takes general education classes. On the diamond, she likely be one of ACC’s starting outfielders next season and comes to the Lumberjacks after starting in center field as a high schooler.

Folkema’s fielding abilities and knack for getting on base are attributes ACC coach Christin Sobeck was looking for as she heads into her second season leading ACC’s program. Folkema can also bat from both sides of the plate and has plenty of speed to be a threat on the basepaths.

In her senior season she was first team all-conference, first team all-district and was named to the Big Rapids Pioneer Dream Team. She had a fielding average of .909 and a batting average of .325 while batting second in the lineup for the Cardinals.

“My speed can cover a lot of ground in the outfield. I think I can help a lot out there and catch some balls that can be some ESPN plays,” Folkema said. “I think I can come in with some big hits and some small hits to get runners in scoring position.”

Before she heads to ACC, Folkema will continue playing with the Big-Rapids based Quad City Storm travel softball team, where she plays catcher.

Folkema’s brother Brennan signed his LOI with Mott Community College in 2015 and Folkema said she was happy to be the next of her family to play college sports.

“(My family is) happy and excited that I’m going on to play at the next level,” Folkema said. “My brother played at the next level, so it’s kind of cool that the second child can play too.”