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Schools

Season Preview: Once Again, McCluer North Relying on Franck

Senior Stars pitcher Rachel Franck has played every single inning for the Stars since her freshman season.

softball coach Patrick Dougherty has simply given up.

No matter how hard he tries, Dougherty can't seem to get senior pitcher Rachel Franck to take a break.

Franck, the defending Suburban North Conference Player of the Year, has played every single inning for the Stars since Aug. 25, 2008, when, as a freshman, she came on in relief of starter Emily Thompson in a 3-2 season-opening loss against St. Charles.

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During the past three years, Dougherty has suggested that Franck take a day off here and there. She comes back with an emphatic, "No." He also offered to replace her with a courtesy runner when she gets on base so she could get a breather before returning to the circle.

Franck said no way.

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"I just like playing. That's why I'm out there," she said. "I want to do everything I can."

Season after season, Dougherty has butted heads with his stubborn pitcher. He is finally throwing in the towel.

Franck, a three-time first team all-conference selection, will plan to play every inning of every game this season, just as she has done her entire varsity career.

"I've given up," he said. "I can't get her to take a little time off. She's got such a great worth ethic. I can't even get her to slow down in practice."

That drive and determination has helped make Franck the most successful pitcher in the history of the program.

Franck is 46-17 in three-plus seasons with a 2.14 ERA. Most importantly, she has struck out 332 batters and walked 45 in 395 innings.

Those numbers not only speak about her longevity but her skills as well. Her career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 7.37-to-1 is one of the highest in the state throughout that period.

"She's just an amazing, amazing athlete," Dougherty said. "I can't say enough about her."

Franck is coming off the best season in school history. She compiled a 21-2 mark with a 1.58 ERA and averaged 6.9 strikeouts per game. Most importantly, she helped the Stars (21-3) to their first district championship in 11 years.

Now, Franck is looking to go out with a bang in her swan song at North.

"Last year was fun, winning districts and everything," she said. "It made us work harder because we want to do it again."

Franck, who is almost as deadly at the plate, hit .378 last season and drove in 15 runs. She also plays the outfield on her summer select team.

The key to Franck's success is pinpoint control and a deadly curve ball. She uses the bender as an out pitch, and because she issues so few walks, she rarely gets herself in trouble.

"I'm not speed related," she said. "I'm more about accuracy."

Franck also plays soccer for the Stars. She scored three goals in the spring as a forward.

But her first love is softball, a sport she took up at age 5. Franck began pitching competitively in the fourth grade and has yet to slow down. She credit her parents, George and Peggy, for her rapid development.

The 17-year-old has had several college offers and said East Central College in Union, MO. and the University of Missouri at St. Louis are at the top of her list.

But for now, Franck wants to concentrate on her upcoming senior season. North opens the campaign on Monday against Parkway North in the Parkway Invitational.

The Stars come in with high hopes.

"We lost some good players, but everyone is really excited," Franck said. "Our team is looking pretty good."

Franck, who also keeps the scorebook for the state championship basketball team, is ready to go out in style.

"I really want this to be my best season," she said.

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