HAMILTON – The first time Maleena Luckadoo launched a ball over the fence, she barely had time to comprehend what it meant.
She was a freshman and the home run in the seventh inning of a tied regional semifinal game sent Hamilton to the regional final in thrilling fashion.
“The story goes back to her freshman year when she had never hit a home run and then she hit one to advance us at regionals. The moment was big, but she didn’t know it because she was a freshman. As we have progressed, the moment is just a moment. She doesn’t get too high or too low. Her swing is on plane and it is not a surprise that she hits the ball hard,” Hamilton coach Mark Behnke said. “Those home runs weren’t barely over the fence, they were bombs. She has a classic swing and turns the ball around pretty quick.”
Luckadoo has continued that trend of late-season power surges into her senior year, where she has played mostly first base, after playing the outfield, shortstop and second base.
With a week remaining in the regular season, Luckadoo has regained her power stroke, launching five home runs in the past week, including three in one game.
“It really solidified my place on that team and that was really amazing,” Luckadoo said about her regional heroics as a freshman. “I feel like there have been a lot of big moments over the four years. I just tried to stayed where my feet were and not let the moment get to me.”
Luckadoo was a one-woman wrecking crew in a rivalry showdown with Holland Christian on Monday, May 18. In the doubleheader, she was 7-for-7 with 10 RBIs. In the second game, she hit three home runs, including a walk-off grand slam.
“That was pretty crazy. I had never hit a grand slam before. It being a walk-off and a rivalry game, it was kind of amazing,” Luckadoo said. “It was kind of surreal, honestly. I try not to get in my head about (numbers), but I was really seeing the ball well.”
Her nine RBIs in the second game put her ninth all-time in the MHSAA record book for most in a game.
“She has had a wonderful career,” Behnke said. “She is a better player than she thinks she is. She probably leads the MHSAA in hugs. She carries a lot of love, but can stand up as a captain and hold the team accountable.”
Luckadoo is batting .477 this season with an on-base percentage of .566 thanks to 19 walks and just five strikeouts. She has 42 hits, nine double sand six home runs. Along the way, she has stolen seven bases, driven in 33 and scored 43 runs.
“I feel like being able to rely on each other, knowing we can all produce when we need a hit is really good for our confidence,” Luckadoo said. “We can really truck each other in those situations.”
Hamilton will play in a Division 2 district semifinal against Holland on May 30 at Holland Christian. The Maroons will also be in the district, along with Unity Christian and Allegan.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Maleena Luckadoo powers Hamilton softball into postseason after record power surge
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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