Dela Rosa a Huge Senior Leader for District Champion LG Softball Team
La Grange senior softball player Abby Dela Rosa has put opponents on notice with her skill in both volleyball and softball. In a recent outing against Smithville, she pitched a complete game and drove in the game-winning run to seal a 2-1 victory. Dela Rosa is going to play college softball next year at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio as she’s covered tons of ground for the Lady Leps throughout her career in many aspects.
“She’s hard-working,” said La Grange head softball coach Amanda Arlund. “Positive, good leadership. Someone that the girls can look to for sure. Confident, smart, just great to have. It’s one of those things where if we’re going to have one senior, she’s a great one to have. The core of our team. It’s huge for her to go play (in college) because her sophomore year when she got hurt, who knows what could happen from there. It just speaks to her work ethic and drive that she was able to come back from that and still accomplish her goals. That’s really big.”
Dela Rosa has set a high standard for La Grange sports throughout her tenure as a Lady Lep, making her our pick for this edition’s Player of the Week.
Question: You’re also on the volleyball team, how do certain things in volleyball translate to softball?
Answer: “I think both are very competitive and for me, taking a break from both of those sports and coming back and playing just showed the love I have for each and every sport that I play.”
Question: Which do you like better, pitching or hitting and why?
Answer: “I like hitting just for the fact that I feel like I’ve done it more. I’ve only pitched for the past two years and I’ve been hitting for, I don’t know, how ever long. I just love hitting and trying to drive in runs and hit the ball as hard as I can.”
Question: What kind of advice would you give athletes who aspire to play at the next level?
Answer: “The big one, to never give up. There are going to be things that get in your way, obstacles. You’re going to have hitting slumps, going to think you’re not good, but you have to keep pursuing them and keep going because in the end, if you work hard, everything will fall into place.”
Question: What would you say is your greatest attribute as an athlete?
Answer: “I think teamwork. Always having my team. Knowing they’re having my back. Having trust in them has really helped me through this year mostly. To know that I have a strong team behind me to help me push through.”
Question: As you’re getting ready for the college level, what part of it are you looking forward to the most?
Answer: “Meeting the new team. From years past, I’ve always been on many different teams. I feel like this one is gonna be the biggest step to opening up to new people and I’m excited about that.”
Question: Who’s your favorite baseball or softball player and why?
Answer: “When I was growing up, I’ve always watched big college people. UT, OU. Surprisingly, it’s been pitchers that I’ve looked up to such as Blaire Luna, Cat Osterman, because they really were the leaders of the team, so I’ve always looked up to people like that. Then Lauren Haeger, who’s also a pitcher, she plays NPF. Lauren Chamberlain, she’s actually one of the best hitters in the league. So I just looked up to big leadership people who made impacts on their team.”
Question: Where do you see yourself after college?
Answer: “I plan on getting my degree in psychology. Although the future’s very unknown, I hope to use that to be a collegiate coach. If not, I plan to be a psychologist to help people who have had injuries like mine. To help them get out of that tough mindset and let them know that there’s a brighter side.”
Question: Which do you prefer, steak or chicken and why?
Answer: “Steak, only well done. I don’t like it bloody, well done, because it’s more bougie.”
Question: Your sister plays softball at Sam Houston State, what are the softball conversations like between you and her?
Answer: “Mainly, about practices and what goes on there. Her team and how they all impact each other. The conversations and the fun times that they have while being a team at team dinners and gatherings.”
Question: What’s your best memory of being an athlete at La Grange?
Answer: “My best memories would have to be the bus rides. Last year with my sister and all the other seniors that graduated. Just connecting, singing, and just talking on the bus. Connecting on those levels were the best memories that I’ve had in high school in athletics.”
Dela Rosa carries an impressive sports background and has an outstanding future ahead.