Belle Vernon senior Ross ruptures Achilles in freak accident

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | 6:31 PM

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Belle Vernon standout softball pitcher Talia Ross suffered a freak injury during practice Wednesday and could miss the rest of the season.

Ross, who had a school-record-tying 20-strikeout game last weekend against Latrobe, said an MRI showed a ruptured Achilles tendon. The senior left-hander will see an orthopedic surgeon next week to determine the severity of the injury and treatment options.

“It’s pretty terrible news,” Ross said. “I was pitching to the girls at practice yesterday and everything was fine, then one pitch when I went to rock back before my stride, I heard a pop and face-planted instead of striding. It was very random and unexpected.”

Ross (5-0), a Lock Haven commit, was just beginning to come into her own in the circle for the defending WPIAL 4A champion Leopards (5-0). Her dominant performance against Latrobe tied former ace Bailey Parshall’s record for Ks in a seven-inning game.

“I am looking for a miracle in the next couple weeks,” Belle Vernon coach Tom Rodriguez said.

Ross has 67 strikeouts and seven walks in 33 innings and an ERA of 0.42. Opponents are hitting .158 against her.

“I’ll just do my best to stand firm in faith and trust that God has a plan,” Ross said.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Belle Vernon