Girls athlete of the week

// The Post-Gazette’s top female performer from the past seven days

The past week: Gross went 2 for 4 in the Raiders’ 9-0 win vs. Pennsbury in the PIAA Class 6A semifinals on Monday to help Seneca Valley clinch a spot in the PIAA championship game for the first time in 30 years.

Check this out: A senior first baseman, Gross is batting

.506 with 9 doubles, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs and 28 runs scored on the season. After bashing 10 homers during the regular season, Gross has raised her game to new heights during the Raiders’ playoff run. In three WPIAL playoff contests vs. Bethel Park, Hempfield and North Allegheny, Gross went 8 for 12 with 4 home runs and 14 RBIs to help Seneca capture its first WPIAL title since 1992.

Did you ever think you would still be playing softball for Seneca Valley after you graduated from high school? Definitely not. It was always a possibility. I just didn’t think we’d make it so far into the season, but it’s been great. … We like to say that we’re “SV alumni” now.

Have you decided whether you want to play softball at the next level and if so, where? I’m actually not playing in college. I’m going to the University of Tennessee. Competition is a little bigger there. I didn’t think I was going to be able to stretch that one. I’ll probably play club softball, but other than that, nothing too exciting.

Have you decided what you’re going to major in? I’m going to be majoring in computer science. I’ve definitely always been more math and science driven. Ever since entering high school, being able to take those higher-level coding and programming classes, I’ve been able to explore that field. I do love it a lot. So other than travel ball this summer, you’ll be playing the last real softball game of your career in the Class 6A state championship game at 4 p.m. on Friday. Has that sunk in yet for you? I think I’ve been trying to let it all sink in, reminding myself that it’s going to come to a close a lot sooner than it feels like. I’ll have to wait for Friday to come, but I’m sure that win or lose, there will probably be tears on the field.

What would someone find you doing when you’re not playing softball? Reading, maybe. What’s your favorite book you read recently? I really liked “These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong, or one that one of my prior coaches recommended, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom.