It’s a family tradition
Lemont’sWallace wants to make ‘my grandpa proud,’ signs for Central Michigan in softball
For Lemont seniorMaddyWallace, pitching runs in the family.
“My grandpa, Ronald Wallace, was a pitcher who made it to the minor leagues,” Wallace said. “My dad, uncle, brother and sisters are all pitchers. It's been a big thing in my family because it's gone down in history for generations.”
Wallace will continue the tradition in college as she recently signed to play softball at Central Michigan.
Her grandpa was certainly on her mind as she celebrated the accomplishment.
“He passed away about two years ago,” Wallace said. “Me and my dad bond over it, knowing my grandpa would be proud of me. My grandpa was always really supportive of me and really into watchingmy softball games.
“It feels good to go on to the next level, and just keep making him andmy family proud.”
Wallace became a dependable pitcher as a sophomore for the Indians in 2019, going 7-6 with a 3.45 ERA as Lemont went 24-13 and won a sectional championship.
She gained valuable exposure as a sophomore, which has certainly proved beneficial as the coronavirus pandemic limited opportunities to showcase her ability to coaches.
“I went to a camp at Central Michiganmy sophomore year and a few other camps, and that's where the coaches saw me,” she said. “Everything has been hard since COVID. Coaches can't come to games.
“It was hard to stay positive during the process and itwas a lot more stressful. I'm grateful for those camps sophomore year, though.”
Central Michigan stood out to Wallace throughout the recruiting process.
“Personally, I like theMidwest,” she said. “I had other options in other states, but I like being close tomy family. The program overall is amazing, and it has everything I was looking for in a softball program and a school in general, academic wise.”
Wallace grew up playing softball and volleyball, at times questioning which sport shewanted to pursue for college.
“As you go up, travel ball gets harder,” she said. “It's basically all year-round. When I was younger, I didn't know if I wanted to continue with it. I liked volleyball, too.
“Pitching is very time-consuming, but I realized I had the potential to do good things and make it to the Division I level, so I put my mind to it and I'm really proud that I've accomplished it.”
Wallace is eager to get back on the field with Lemont.
“My freshman and sophomore years, we made it to supersectionals and lost,” she said. “Iwas really looking forward to trying to help us get to the next level as a junior, but the seasonwas canceled.
“Now, I want to bring everything I've worked on the last two years, be a leader and help us get to that next level.”
Joining thechamps: Theopportunity to play for a reigning national champion in basketball
was quite a draw for Brother Rice's LukeMoustakas.
Moustakas, a senior forward, committed toNorthwest Missouri State, which won the 2018 Division II national championship and was ranked No. 1 before last season was halted by the NCAA due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It's definitely more fun when everyone is winning,” Moustakas said. “I'm very thankful for the opportunity and everyone who helped me get here, and I can't wait to win some games.”
While most of the recruiting process has been from a distance
for Moustakas, he visited Northwest Missouri State twice.
“I sawthem practice and itwas very high energy,” he said. “They looked like theywanted to win.”
Tidbits: In football, Mount Carmel senior running back/ linebackerKenenna Odeluga committed to Penn … In softball, Richards junior catcher Abby Mallo committed to St. Louis and St. Laurence junior infielder Angelina Seropian committed to Bucknell.