Frank Finding Her Stride at the Plate after Slow Start to the Season

ARTICLE BY MICHAEL BAUER: ODESSA AMERICAN

Odessa College infielder Reganied Franka has been making up for lost time recently.

The sophomore from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, began this season on a struggling note when it came to batting.

However, in the last few weeks, Franka has regained her composure at the plate, becoming a safe bet to get on base as the Lady Wranglers' leadoff hitter.

Franka added more to her resume last week when she posted seven hits combined in Odessa College's sweep against Western Texas College in a four-game series in Western Junior College Athletic Conference play.

"I started off a little slow this season, but I've been able to trust my mechanics a little more and how I practice and bring it to the game," Franka said. "I feel comfortable at the plate right now."

In last week's series against the Lady Westerners, Franka put up three hits in game two, helping the Lady Wranglers to an 8-4 win on Thursday before putting up three more hits the following day in game three for an 8-0 win.

She would also have an RBI in the eight-run win.

"I just think I was seeing the ball well. Swinging at the right pitches," Franka said of her performance in last week's series. "Not taking too many strikes. That's been my big thing."

So far, Franka may only have a .330 average with three home runs and 25 RBIs and 42 runs but once she's on base, she's able to make the most of it.

Franka currently leads the team in stolen bases with 16.

"I'm just waiting for the steal sign," Franka said. "As soon as I get on, I'm looking at coach and waiting for me to steal a base and score."

The temptation of making a steal is always there.

"Sometimes it's hard because I'm always on my tippy toes, seeing if the ball will get past the catcher but I'm aware of when I can and cannot steal," Franka said.

Getting her on base has added a new dangerous element to an Odessa College team that's currently ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA polls and sitting at 27-4 overall, 8-0 in WJCAC with sights set on another return trip to the NJCAA College Softball World Series.

"You get the leadoff batter on and she has so many ways of scoring," Odessa College head coach Doug Eastman said. "She can score on a double from first base. She can steal two bases. She just makes things happen. Getting her on base is everything."

As for her batting, at one point in this season, she went five games in a row with only one hit to show for it.

"I think being a little passive at the plate, seeing too many strikes and not getting after it," Franka said.

There was the problem of over thinking each pitch.

"I would say I was scared going up to bat," Franka said. "Was I going to see the right pitches? Was I going to swing at the right pitches? Now I know that I will swing at the right pitch and that's been the difference, too."

How she's been practicing has helped her batting in recent weeks.

"I've been slowing everything down and not getting ahead of myself," Franka said. "Since then, things have been going a lot better."

Franka was one of the many returning players for the Lady Wranglers heading into this season, having competed at last year's NJCAA College Softball World Series which saw Odessa College make it to the third round.

She and the rest of her teammates have one main goal.

"Win a natty, of course," Franka said with a smile.

Coming in from The Netherlands, Franka said there wasn't too much of an adjustment for her.

"Softball-wise, it wasn't that big of a difference," Franka said. "Back home, I always used to practice twice a day so it wasn't that big of an adjustment."

For her, the main difference between Odessa and home (not surprisingly) is the heat.

"I would say the weather has been more of an adjustment," Franka said. "Now, I play in warm weather every single day. That helps my arm. I enjoy that a lot."

As she finishes up her final season with the Lady Wranglers, Franka is still deciding where her next destination will be to play softball.

"I hope I have something at the end of April, but for now, I'm not sure," Franka said.

"She started out a little bit slow this year at bat. but she's been working on some things in the cage," Eastman said. "She's been working on her mechanics a little bit. She has a good approach right now. I've always said that she has the potential to have as much power as anybody on this team. She proves that in batting practice every day."

Regardless, she's been able to come a long way since the season started.