By: Scott Nickerson
12 years of playing softball and a successful travel ball and high school career has paid off for Stanhope Elmore High Senior Jada McLeod, who has played on the varsity team since 7th grade. She has committed to continue her softball career with Eastern Kentucky University.
As a junior, McLeod led Stanhope Elmore to the Class 6A Regionals for the first time in several years. She was named the Mustangs’ offensive Most Valuable Player, with a .426 batting average, with 52 hits, 15 doubles, 11 home runs, 46 RBIs, 40 runs, 13 walks, and only 11 strikeouts. She had two multi-home run games and hit a walk-off grand slam against Elmore County.
McLeod earned All Elmore County and All Metro honors, and was named Honorable Mention All-State Class 6A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
McLeod wants to finish her high school career strong. “My individual goals are to be a team leader, to help my team get to Regionals again, and hit 20 or more home runs. Team goals would be to grow closer with my teammates and build bonds with my team and win big this year.”
McLeod is thankful for her coaches and teammates from Stanhope Elmore. “I appreciate my coaches and teammates willingness to give me constructive criticism, and for pushing me to always give my best effort.”
The senior credits her mother as being her biggest inspiration, due to the love she always had for the game, and the fact that her mother has been her coach since she started playing. McLeod has played travel softball for several teams, to include Lady Dukes York Alabama, the Lady Dukes National Team, and Unity Betsa/Hebert 18u National. This summer with the Lady Dukes York 18U, and a national schedule with Unity Betsa, McLeod had 33 total hits, 5 home runs, 23 runs scored, and 29 RBIs. She has traveled all over playing the game, to include visits to Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Georgia, California, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and Arizona, in addition to games in Alabama.
McLeod cited the amazing communication with Eastern Kentucky coaches as one of the reasons she chose to commit to the program. “They made me and my family feel at home. My first unofficial visit just felt like home, the campus is beautiful, the players and coaches were very excited I was there. The coaches also came to quite a few of my games in California this summer.”
She already has some goals in mind for Eastern Kentucky. “My number one goal is to get a college education, and to earn a starting role. Also, to be a great teammate and use my skills to contribute in any way I can.”
