Former Wildcat softball star takes over program,

RAMSEUR — Dallas Heaton Cross was one of the top softball players to ever come out of Randolph County. The 2011 graduate of Eastern Randolph High School led the Wildcats to the 2010 state 2-A championship while earning all kinds of accolades during her career.

She’s hoping to have that success as a coach.

Cross has taken over for Lavette Graham, who resigned after nine seasons in order to help care for his father.

Cross and the Wildcats started very successfully this season, capturing a 5-0 win over powerful Jordan-Matthews last week.

“It is truly a blessing to be home,” said Cross, who played two seasons at Limestone College and two years at Brevard before beginning her teaching career at Providence Grove High School. “I appreciate my community. You feel like you reached the dream you thought you wanted to do as a child. Now it’s reality.”

Cross returned to teach at ER in 2022 and helped Graham for two seasons before taking over the program. She was left with a talented team including Addie Flinchum, Logann Beaver, Ziera Watson and Ayanna Mears, among others.

“We have kids who are very talented and the biggest thing we have to do is have fun,” Cross said. “When you have talent, they can put a lot of pressure on themselves. It takes away from why you play the game. Have fun and play for the love of the game. (Former ER coach) Randall (Myers) always made sure we were having fun.”

ER was 61-7 in Cross’ junior and senior seasons at ER. She hit .496 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs as a junior and .516 with 19 home runs and 52 RBIs as a senior. She was also 46-6 on the mound with 356 strikeouts in 338 innings pitched.

ER is scheduled to host Randleman in Piedmont Athletic Conference action Wednesday at 7 p.m.