Troy’s Francis seeks a big finish
Austin Francis is a senior shortstop/ pitcher for the Troy High baseball team.
A varsity performer since his freshman year, Francis will play Division I baseball next year at NJIT. The senior is hitting .382 and owns a .506 on-base percentage.
The Flying Horses (12-6), seeded sixth in the Section II Class A tournament after winning the program’s first championship in 2021, take on No. 2 seed Mohonasen (17-3) Monday in the semifinals at East Side Rec.
Q: It must feel good to be in this position again after a tough start. How difficult was it to go through the first three games with losses against Colonie, Burnt Hills-ballston Lake and Averill Park?
A: It was definitely a little difficult. I said this before to a few other people, I think it was honestly best for us coming off winning the section ‘chip’. We had a couple of guys that were looking ahead and looking to this moment we’re in right now. It was good to get those losses out of the way. After that, we’ve been 12-3 since and it has been a heck of a ride. We haven’t looked back since.
Q: I don’t have to tell you the team you beat Friday, Albany Academy, is pretty good. Michael Kennedy was obviously on as he threw a no-hitter. How big of a win was that?
A: That was phenomenal. Albany Academy is a great ballclub. We lost to them my freshman year. We knew Albany Academy was going to be a dogfight and a huge pitcher’s duel (with
Kennedy vs. Geneo Savoca). Our guy Mike went out there and did his thing. He showed why he is going to be a future MLB player.
Q: When you think back to where you were as a player as a freshman, beyond the natural physical improvements someone makes in three years, what do you feel you have gotten better at?
A: I think the biggest thing for me is being a leader. As a freshman on varsity, I didn’t start at shortstop. I started at second base. I wasn’t as much of a leader as I am now. I know going into college next year, I have to be a leader. I have been on my guys and they have been on me. That is the biggest thing I have changed over these four years being a leader and making sure everyone on the team is the best they can possibly be.
Q: How old were you when you started with baseball?
A: It is crazy. I was actually talking about this with my dad. I was three when I first picked up a baseball. I played eight-year-old travel baseball with my brother, who is now 20, three years up when I was five. Baseball has been in my family. My sister is five and she just started playing softball. It is awesome.
Q: After winning the championship in 2021, settling for anything less than the title would be a disappointment. What would it mean to pull it off again?
A: It would mean the world not only to us but to our community. The community and school has been by our side from day one. It would be an unbelievable experience to go back-to-back, but we have to go into (Monday) and do our thing before we can move forward.
Q: Regardless of what happens to conclude your senior season, how much are you looking forward to playing Division I baseball?
A: Oh man, I am very excited for that. I have been looking to play Division I baseball my entire life. It has always been my goal. It is going to be an unbelievable experience, but we still have things left to accomplish here. Hopefully, we still have a few more weeks left with this season. I am looking forward to spending the next few weeks with my guys and doing our thing.