Reigning League Freshman Of The Year Franks Set For Sophomore Encore

The start to Chris Franks' career as an Ashland University baseball player couldn't have gone much better.
 
Following a redshirt year in 2022, Franks burst on to the scene in 2023 and was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and second-team all-league, as well as second-team American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) second-team all-region.
 
So what will Franks do for an encore in 2024, beginning with a three-game set at Concord on Sunday and Monday (Feb. 25-26)?
 
"I think it's going to work really well for us," said Franks, who hit .359 with 23 runs scored, 11 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 40 RBIs and four stolen bases last spring, of being in a lineup with all but one starter returning. "We have good chemistry. Most of us have been together for a decent amount now. We're just gaining experience, so we're looking forward to doing some crazy things this year.
 
"The main thing is just win conference, then, ultimately, a national championship. That's what we're working towards."
 
Said Ashland head coach John Schaly, "You could see the potential there. It was a surprise, a pleasant surprise. You just never know when the light bulb's going to go off for guys. We knew he had the ability, the potential."
 
Franks came to Ashland from nearby Wooster High School, where the four-time varsity letter winner won an Ohio Cardinal Conference title and was a first-team all-OCC selection.
 
"I was kind of the typical high school guy," Franks said. "I was the guy at Wooster, then coming here, I was expecting to play right away. I didn't realize the amount of talent we had.
 
"It was a humbling experience. I realized redshirting would be a good path, just to develop and get better as a player, get smarter and learn more about baseball. I did that, and everything fell into place after that."
 
Ironically, Franks said he was working mostly during the redshirt year as a pitcher. Thanks to his work at the plate and in the field, he only threw 4 2/3 innings over two relief appearances in 2023.
 
"We like him as both. Obviously, the outfield play took over last year," said Schaly. "When we recruited him, we thought he was a legitimate two-way guy."
 
But Franks wasn't Ashland's starting right fielder right away last season. Once he got his opportunity, however, he didn't let it go.
 
"My mindset once I got in was be grateful for the opportunity, and just be aggressive, swing the bat," said Franks, who had 14 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games last spring.
 
In 2024, Franks will remain in the starting lineup, but he said, "I'll probably get more innings on the mound than I did last year."
 
Ashland went 35-21 and reached the NCAA Division II postseason with a veteran-laden team in 2022. Then, with Franks as a big part of a much younger squad in 2023, the Eagles finished 33-21 and returned to the D-II playoffs.
 
There is, however, one aspect of last season that Franks and the rest of the Eagles can't wait to get past – a season-ending seven-game losing streak.
 
"It was tough…but I think we needed it. It's going to light a fire under us," Franks said. "It definitely won't happen this year."
 
EAGLES OPEN NEW SEASON IN WEST VIRGINIA
Ashland will play three games at Concord, in a switch in schedule due to pending inclement weather, before going on the annual Spring Break trip in Florida. In addition to Franks, the Eagles bring back all-conference performers in junior third baseman Jeremiah Cangelosi, sophomore catcher/third baseman Collin Overholt, junior center fielder Cam Miller and junior pitcher/third baseman Cam Scott.
 
Overholt and junior Ben Peltz will be the catchers, junior Sam Witt is at first base, either junior Ian Sanders or sophomore Gavin Dobbels will be at second base, graduate Devin Hukill will at shortstop, and Cangelosi and Overholt will be at third. The outfield will consist of Franks, Miller and junior left fielder Billy Howard, and there is designated hitter depth among those who don't start in the field.
 
"We have a veteran lineup, and we're returning eight starters," Schaly said. "Hopefully, all the experience they gained last year will make us even better this year. From 1 through 9 in our order, we're going to produce runs."
 
Scott, senior right-hander Justin Dyksma and junior left-hander Marshall Leishman are the experienced returning starting pitchers, with other veterans in the mix on the staff including senior righty Zac Common, sophomore lefty John Essig, junior righty Matt Hall and sophomore right Drew Becker.
 
"We're going to try a lot of different things," Schaly said. "Our staff is deeper this year, so we're going to try to mix in righty-lefty, guys with different kinds of stuff that pair well together.
 
"I think we can go 13, 14, 15 quality pitchers, depth-wise."