April 26, 2006

Amherst, MA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- Fenway Park has seen its share of hitting streaks in its history. And now, UMass third baseman Ryan Franczek can add his name to the list of players who have continued their great hitting in front of the Green Monster.

The sophomore extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games yesterday afternoon in a 7-6 loss to Northeastern in the consolation game of the 17th annual Beanpot Tournament at Fenway Park. Franczek ripped a line drive up the middle in the bottom of the third inning to record a one-out single, which extended his hit streak to 11 consecutive games.

Franczek added the spark to UMass's offense yesterday, as he finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a walk. The Minutemen were trying to spark a comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Franczek came to the plate with two outs and the tying runner on third. He stroked a hard line drive to deep center, but it was not hard enough to make him the hero.

The 11-game hitting streak marks the longest among any UMass player in 2006, and he thanked his supporting cast for that honorable feat.

"It feels great," Franczek said. "I'm starting to swing the bat a little bit better now. The team's swinging better too. So, once the team starts hitting better, it's easier for me to hit it too."

Franczek is hitting .337 with a team-high 23 runs scored, three triples and 20 RBIs on the year, second among the Minutemen. He has posted an impressive .440 on-base percentage, and has hit safely in 23 of 25 games this season.

While there is a potential for much self-pressure during a hitting streak, Franczek knows better than to take his mind off of his usual routine.

"I just go up there with the same approach every time," Franczek said. "I just try to hit the ball hard up the middle, and good things will happen."

UMass coach Mike Stone knows that the game is not about hitting streaks, it's about winning. And having a player of Franczek's caliber patrolling the hot corner and batting in the leadoff spot certainly cannot be a bad thing.

"He's a guy that you want to have at the plate," Stone said. "He's one of the guys that we want to have at the plate when the game's on the line. He's a good player. He's really matured. He's improved so much. He works hard. He's got a great attitude. And he's done a great job at third base for us.

"He's a guy that could hit first, second, third, anywhere really," Stone continued. "We feel comfortable where we are with our lineup right now, so, he's a good leadoff man."

Franczek also contributed with his defense in yesterday's loss. Northeastern's Mike Tasmin ripped a bases-loaded double down the left field line in the top of the second inning, which scored only two runs, thanks to the UMass third baseman. Franczek made a beautiful relay throw home to gun down the Huskies' Brian Nutting and end the inning without any further damage.

"I just wanted to get rid of it as quick as I could," Franczek said. "I knew the guy was going, so I just wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible."

Hitting streaks are a special individual accomplishment, but for this Chicopee native and member of Red Sox Nation, doing it on Yawkey Way makes it that much better.

"It's unbelievable," Franczek said about playing at Fenway Park. "I've always been a Red Sox fan, and come here to watch a couple games. To be able to play on their field is amazing."

(C) 2006 Massachusetts Daily Collegian via CSTV U-WIRE