With two outs in the final inning of a nonconference contest against the Plano Reapers, softball standout Hannah Luxton stepped into the box with a chance to win the game for Rochelle.

The Lady Hubs were tied in the bottom half of the frame, and Luxton approached the plate with a teammate on second base. After working a full count, Luxton delivered with a bases-clearing double that brought the winning run home and sent Rochelle off with an exciting victory. The clutch at-bat was Luxton’s favorite moment throughout her four-year career at RTHS.

“Before high school, I only played catcher for my team,” Luxton said. “I eventually became a utility player at RTHS which was a huge improvement and goal for me. I grew up playing softball with most of my teammates. We played Little League together, so coming together and playing for the high school team was an awesome experience for me.”

Luxton spent her first two seasons with RTHS on the fresh-soph team before breaking out on the varsity team her junior season, leading the Lady Hubs with a .348 batting average and compiling an on-base percentage over .400. Luxton had been slated to be one of Rochelle’s top returning seniors this season, which was unfortunately canceled due to the coronavirus.

“Even being away from the sport, the RTHS softball program taught me to stay in contact with my teammates and encourage everybody on and off the field,” Luxton said.

Luxton has several plans for after high school including earning her associate’s degree in fine arts from Kishwaukee College. Afterward, Luxton said she may consider enlisting in the U.S. Army so she can eventually finance an education in psychiatry. She said her goal is to attend Liberty University and study to become a missionary psychiatrist. Additionally, she said she would love to continue her softball career if an opportunity presents itself.

“I would like to travel to places like Nicaragua and Honduras with an organization called World Gospel Outreach and help rescued victims,” Luxton said. “I haven’t made any decisions if I will play softball in college or not, but if I have time and the opportunity arises, I’d love to play.”

If Luxton chooses to play softball collegiately, she’d be continuing a sport she’s played since fourth grade. She grew up playing softball at her home, and when her mother asked if she wanted to play Little League, she didn’t hesitate to leap at the opportunity.

“At the time, I wanted to play because there was less running than there was in basketball, which is ironic because the position I play in softball now requires the most running,” Luxton said. “I grew to love the sport through fun teammates and knowledgeable coaches.”