Senior outfielder Tyler Ross is a walking embodiment of so many sports clichés; however, they actually work when describing the Wolfpack softball power-hitting lefty. Whether at the plate, in the field or out of uniform, this record-breaking slugger is a leader on this year’s team.
Ross has consistently been a solid asset for any team she suits up for. During her time at Middle Creek High School, she excelled at multiple sports, as she earned All-Conference honors in volleyball as a sophomore and in basketball as a junior. But softball was where she displayed a true talent.
In the field, she was a three-time All-Conference selection. She earned Conference Player of the Year honors those three years as well. Her best major high school accolade was being named an All-American as a sophomore and North Carolina 3A East Player of the Year.
She fielded a ton of top schools that offered her a full scholarship, but NC State was the easy choice for her.
“I grew up a State fan but more on the basketball side,” Ross said. “The campus was close to home, and I got the family feel every time I visited.”
Upon her arrival at State, she was slowed by injury but still made waves her freshman year, which is especially impressive given the Wolfpack was fresh off an ACC championship season. During her debut season, she played in 37 games and started 12 in center field. She finished the season with a batting average of .269 and had 14 hits, four of which were home runs. She also had a nine-game streak of getting on base.
For a freshman to come in and have her contributions help her team reach super regionals in the NCAA Tournament is impressive to say the least. However, her sophomore campaign was even more of a coming out party for anyone who didn’t already know who she is. She moved to left field where she started every game. She found her niche there, as her fielding was consistent all year.
During her sophomore campaign, Ross took her hitting to another level as well, as she broke the school record for RBIs with 55 and knocked 14 balls out of the park all while maintaining a batting average of .309. During this massive statistical season, she was twice named ACC Player of the Week. At season’s end, she was awarded for her efforts by being named to the All-ACC Second Team.
After a year like that, many players would rest on their laurels, but not Ross. When asked how she became the player that she is today, head coach Shawn Rychcik raved about her work ethic.
“She’s worked extremely hard to constantly improve her game,” Rychcik said. “She’s extremely fast and very powerful. You don’t become that without putting in the work.”
The work she put in paid off, as last season saw her rewriting the NC State history books yet again. In her junior season, she broke the program record for runs scored with 55. She also showed off the speed Rychcik was talking about by setting a new record for stolen bases in a single season with 27. Her .380 batting average is enough to be the second best in school history. The 18 homers she recorded were an improvement from her sophomore year, as well as good for third in program history.
Ross’ personality may be as vital to this year’s team as her on-field talents are. Her teammates could go on at length about what a great person and teammate she is.
“In the dugout, she keeps everyone in and laughing,” senior outfielder and second base Molly Martin said. “She’s a team player, and she always makes sure everyone is OK.”
Senior center fielder and first base Molly Hutchison reaffirmed Martin’s sentiments when she was asked about Ross.
“It’s nice hitting behind her because she’s confident and calm,” Hutchison said. “Tyler has one of the funniest laughs I’ve ever seen. It’s hard not to laugh while she’s laughing.”
If the Wolfpack is going to make another deep run into the NCAA Tournament in Ross’ final act as team captain, she’ll need to put up more monster numbers. By the time it’s all said and done, Ross will be remembered as a Wolfpack great as a player and a person.
