Faith in herself, and her father, has gotten St. Charles North junior Faith Maleski to Notre Dame.
First, about Faith.
Maleski, a utility standout, will be playing in her third season on the varsity this spring for the North Stars. But her interest in one day suiting up for the Fighting Irish in softball started years ago.
“From the moment I stepped into the batter’s box of Melissa Cook Stadium as a 12-year-old, I prayed this day would come,” Maleski posted on social media, using the X platform.
To Maleski, her prayers were answered last week when she announced she had verbally committed to a scholarship offer from coach Kris Ganeff at Notre Dame.
She explained how her decision came about, including how she got on the Irish’s radar.
“I was at an all-star game on that field my first time there and then I was invited back for a Notre Dame camp,” Maleski said. “It was truly a blessing.”
Maleski received a text from Ganeff shortly after midnight on Sept. 1, the start of an open recruiting period when high school juniors can be contacted by college coaches.
Ganeff called to invite Maleski for an official visit the weekend of Sept. 19, when Notre Dame played Purdue in football.
“I went to the football game with members of the team,” Maleski said. “It was during a lightning delay that I felt like I really got to bond with the team and understand how the program works.
“I was extremely interested and very passionate about the program and the school and could see myself filling a role there.”
And about her father? Recruited as a second baseman and outfielder is perfect for Maleski, who was introduced to the sport at a young age by her dad, Eric.
A right-handed reliever at Benedictine, Eric Maleski was drafted in the 25th round of the 1998 MLB draft by Cleveland. He pitched in the minor leagues for five years.
A baseball instructor, Eric turned his attention to softball when Faith’s interest grew, starting out with T-ball. She’s the oldest of three daughters for Eric and his wife, Melissa.
Faith throws right-handed but bats lefty and credits her dad as her hitting coach.
“Like most kids when they’re really young, she would try throwing with both hands,” Eric said.
He encouraged her to throw right-handed and hit left-handed.
“There are more positions on the field available to right-handers,” he said. “Hitting lefty, she just decided to go with it, which wasn’t a bad idea. You’re a couple steps closer to first base.”
Also, when Eric tried to show her things, Faith could stand on the opposite side of the plate from him and mirror his right-handed swing.
St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin is enjoying the payoff.
“He’s a great teacher of the game,” Poulin said of Eric Maleski. “I don’t know how she started hitting left-handed, but she has a beautiful swing.”
Faith also showcased plenty of extra power this summer with her Illinois Chill 16U travel team.
For St. Charles North, Maleski played first base and third base as a freshman and added outfield duties and second base as a sophomore.
She hit .282 as a freshman, joining classmates Ella Heimbuch and Julianna Kouba on the varsity as the North Stars won the state title for the second time in three years. Maleski hit .273 last year.
All three are versatile. Heimbuch can catch or play shortstop or outfield. Kouba plays third base and the outfield. Heimbuch committed in September to Wisconsin.
Poulin expects the trio to be a huge part of his team’s core the next two seasons.
“Faith showed her versatility that first year,” Poulin said. “We had such talent that she was behind a junior and senior. She’s just a great teammate and started coming off the bench in the state tournament and excelled in any role. She can play almost anywhere.
“This year, we’re expecting big things.”