ROBERTSDALE, Ala.—Central Christian School senior Austin Gross signed his letter of intent to play baseball for the Trinity Baptist College Eagles in Jacksonville, Fla. Gross has had a successful high-school career in the Panhandle Christian Conference, especially at the plate with season batting averages above .500 as a sophomore and junior. He was named all-conference each year as well as Player of the Year for the CCS Saints twice and is on pace to repeat those feats again, said Saints head coach Shane Fountain.

So far this year Gross is hitting .560 and has two grand slams through his first 16 games.

“We're proud of him and we love him,” Fountain said. “And expecting to finish the year strong with him leading us into the playoffs again. He has been an integral part of our baseball team the last three seasons. He is consistently a real wall behind the plate for us and has become a very effective defensive player as well as one of our ace pitchers in both the starting and relieving role. However, he will probably play first base at Trinity. He is unselfish and it's nice when a player will play where he is needed. And I thank him for that.”

The signee said TBC was a great fit from the first visit.

“I like the atmosphere and the spirit there,” he said. “It felt just like a family in a very positive way. Very welcoming. I really like the coaching staff and it’s just a really good school all around.”

The son of Steve and Shannon Gross, he plans to major in special education.

“I’d like to thank my parents for getting me started in baseball and everything they have done for me,” he said. “I appreciate all the sacrifices they have made to get me here and for supporting me through everything. I’m so glad I came to this school. It’s really just like a family, too. I also want to thank Mr. Fountain for helping me through the whole college process. I appreciate all the rest of the coaching staff here and all my teachers, too.”

Central Christian is set to dedicate and open the Saints new baseball and softball fields on campus this Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. with both teams hosting East Hill Christian School. The Saints will travel to Pensacola to play Trinitas Christian School on April 19 at 4:30 p.m. and will host the Panhandle Christian Conference Regional Baseball Tournament on April 22-23.