Ross signs with Coe softball

FORT MADISON - Emily Ross officially got her college decision out of the way on Monday.
Now the Holy Trinity senior can get ready for her final high school softball season.
Ross signed an agreement with Coe College, an NCAA Division III school, on Monday morning in the HTC gym.
“It just means that now I can focus on the season and just have a last senior season that isn't stressful at all,” Ross said. “Just no pressure, and have fun with the girls.”
Ross hit .519 with a 1.395 OPS for the Crusaders last season. She had 10 doubles, two home runs, and 19 runs batted in on the way to being named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Class 1A Southeast all-district team. She was also an honorable mention 1A all-state selection.
She joins a Coe program that went 34-11 last season and reached the Division III Super Regionals.
“I really enjoyed the coaches and the professors there, they're very nice,” Ross said. “And then also the girls on the team, they're all very nice as well. And just the atmosphere at Coe — where it is, where it's located. Everything like that is just perfect for me.”

“It's great for Emily,” Holy Trinity coach Loren Menke said. “Emily's a great kid, very dedicated to softball and to school and she’s just an outstanding leader. And so it feels good to see her move on."
Menke then smiled.
“We don't want her to move on too quickly,” he said.
Ross also looked at St. Ambrose and Western Illinois before choosing Coe.
Ross, who plays first base for the Crusaders, likely will play one of the corner infield positions in college, but could also see some time in the outfield.
Ross is already working toward a final prep season, as well as her spring travel team schedule with the Iowa Gold.
“I’ll just start working again hitting and then also trying to work in some outfield, as Coe would like to see me get some outfield experience as well,” she said.
“She means everything to our program,” Menke said. “She's a great softball player, but beyond that, she's a great person, and she's a great leader, and the kids just look up to her, and it's like having a second coach on the field. I've heard countless kids say how they can't imagine her not being on the team after this year, so they all look up to her.”