George Washington Ability To Develop Excites Maltacea

Luke Maltacea C / 2B / Noble & Greenough, MA / 2025

MARBLEHEAD, Ma. - A commitment to George Washington was “probably the best feeling of my life” according to Luke Maltacea.

“When I called coach Kavanaugh my heart was pounding and he was excited,” related the 13th-rated 2025 catcher in New England in reference to GW assistant coach Kevin Kavanaugh. “The recruiting process wasn’t always great. After that all the stress went away. I can’t put into words how amazing it is to be a Division I commit.”

A trip to Georgia to play with NEB began the connection with George Washinton and there were additional views of the 5-9 180-pounder throughout the summer.

“We made contact on Aug. 1 and I went there a month later and got an offer,” the junior at Noble & Greenough High School noted. “(Head) Coach (Gregg) Ritchie and coach Kav seemed right for me.

“The environment of the campus and being in DC where there is so much happening is amazing,” Maltacea added. “I just love the city. Once I got to Tucker Field it brought everything together. Plus, everything there is alumni-funded.”

It was just less than a year ago when recruitment began to take off.

“On Dec. 1st I had a call with Northeastern,” Maltacea said. “Going to PBR events helped get my name out there. The first was the Future 50 which really showed me what it took to be a college baseball player. A lot of those guys are Division I commits. Then I went to the Top Prospect Games in the summer. PBR really helped showcase everything so when I went to a college camp I’d know what to expect.”

Prior to the new recruiting rule for incoming juniors, Maltacea was talking with Princeton and Yale along with Northeastern, but it was all GW once Aug. 1 hit.

“They like the way I handle myself during games, how I catch, my approach at the plate, my leadership qualities and how I am as a teammate,” Maltacea explained.

It was just a few years back when the 92nd-ranked junior in New England became interested in playing beyond high school.

“In middle school I started playing competitively and realized baseball was my thing,” Maltacea reflected. “Freshman year I made my biggest jump. I started working with a hit coach, Bobby Celentano, and that changed my life. I realized how good I can be.”

John Murphy with Elite Sports Advisors, head coach Rob Murray at Noble, and Scott Patterson and Mike Abraham at NEB are others credited by Maltacea with playing major roles in his development and recruitment in addition to his biggest influences.

“My parents have done everything for me in every part of the process,” Maltacea pointed out. “They’ve made this all possible.”

Improvement once Maltacea became part of the NEB program proved essential as well in becoming a D-I commit.

“I made my biggest jump working with Abes hitting and catching at NEB,” the 43rd-ranked 2025 in Massachusetts said. “He helped me with my craft and I can’t thank him enough.”

Maltacea, who carries a 3.85 GPA and is looking into a major in either political science, criminal justice or business at the university 81/2 hours from home, is confident at what he can bring to the Atlantic 10 Conference program.

“The way I can lead behind the plate, my awareness and IQ,” the fifth-rated junior catcher in Massachusetts said of what he feels he can provide at the next level. “The way I handle a pitching staff and the relationships I have with all my pitchers is what I can bring. I’m also good at getting on base as a singles/doubles guy.”

It has the 17-year-old anxious to get his college career started.

“I’m really excited to work with the coaching staff, they’re really big developmental guys,” Maltacea concluded. “I’m excited to see how I develop in the program.”