Head Softball Coach Jeff Franquet Coaches a Rare Double
The 2011 Central Connecticut softball team claimed a spot in NCAA history with a 19-4 victory over Princeton on Wednesday afternoon. The Blue Devils scored 17 runs in the second inning of a doubleheader sweep on the road. That number tied for the second most ever in a single inning of a Division I softball game. Despite it only occurring on five occasions, Wednesday's game was not the first time that head coach Jeff Franquet was part of a 17 run inning.
The 2011 Central Connecticut softball team claimed a spot in
NCAA history with a 19-4 victory over Princeton on Wednesday
afternoon. The Blue Devils scored 17 runs in the second inning of
a doubleheader sweep on the road. That number tied for the second
most ever in a single inning of a Division I softball game.
Central joined UTEP, Southern Miss, Jacksonville and Arizona as the
five schools to post a 17 run inning. College of Charleston holds
the record with a 29 run inning against Savannah State in 2004.
Despite it only occurring on five occasions, Wednesday's game was
not the first time that head coach Jeff Franquet was part of a 17
run inning. Now in his second year at Central, the veteran college
coach was the skipper at Jacksonville when the Dolphins posted
their 17 run inning in 2004. Jacksonville defeated Savannah State
33-0, on May 2, 2004, at the time Jacksonville became the third
team in NCAA history to score 17 or more runs in an inning.
The Blue Devils and Dolphins took two different paths to scoring 17
runs. Central sent 20 batters to the plate in the inning with 17
of the first 18 reaching base safely. All 17 Blue Devils who
reached base scored, thanks to senior Amanda Dilworth's grand slam
as the 18th hitter of the inning.
The Dolphins scored 13 of their 17 runs with two outs in the
inning. Also, Jacksonville didn't hit a homerun in the inning or
the game, despite scoring 33 runs. Another highlight of that game
for the Dolphins was pitcher Katie Buell who threw a five inning
perfect game.
The Blue Devils historic victory in yesterday's second game earned
Franquet the distinction of being the only coach in NCAA history to
lead two squads that posted 17 or more runs in a single inning. In
game one his team came from behind to defeat Princeton 5-4 in extra
innings. That victory gave Franquet his 300th as a college head
coach.
After some time to reflect Franquet noted the significance of the
day's events, "That was a really special day for JU Softball, and I
am just as excited to be able to see our 2011 Blue Devils tie that
record because our team has worked so hard to improve our program,
and get better every day out."
Central sent 20 batters to the plate in the second inning yesterday
totaling 17 runs on 10 hits and 2 errors.
Below is a complete play-by-play from the historic inning:
Central
Connecticut 2nd Inning - Game 2 of Doubleheader - Wed., Mar. 30,
2011
Kat KNOWLES doubled down the rf line.
Erica KOEHLER hit by pitch.
Macy STEFANSKI bunted for a single; KOEHLER advanced to second;
KNOWLES advanced to third.
Liza Kuhn to p for Michelle Tolfa.
Sarah VLAHOS singled to left center, 2 RBI; STEFANSKI advanced to
second; KOEHLER scored; KNOWLES scored.
Arielle BRUNO bunted for a single; VLAHOS advanced to second;
STEFANSKI advanced to third.
Rebecca MUSSATTI walked, RBI; BRUNO advanced to second; VLAHOS
advanced to third; STEFANSKI scored.
Tessa BROWN singled through the left side, RBI, advanced to second
on a fielding error by lf, advanced to third; MUSSATTI scored;
BRUNO scored; VLAHOS scored.
Kelsey BARLOW popped up to ss.
Amanda DILWORTH walked.
KNOWLES reached on a fielding error by ss, RBI; DILWORTH advanced
to second; BROWN scored.
KOEHLER walked; KNOWLES advanced to second; DILWORTH advanced to
third.
STEFANSKI singled to leftfield, RBI; KOEHLER advanced to second;
KNOWLES advanced to third; DILWORTH scored.
VLAHOS walked, RBI; STEFANSKI advanced to second; KOEHLER advanced
to third; KNOWLES scored.
BRUNO singled to left field, 2 RBI; VLAHOS advanced to second;
STEFANSKI scored; KOEHLER scored. MUSSATTI singled up the middle;
BRUNO advanced to second; VLAHOS advanced to third.
BROWN singled to left field, 2 RBI; MUSSATTI advanced to second;
BRUNO scored; VLAHOS scored.
BARLOW reached on a fielder's choice; BROWN advanced to second;
MUSSATTI advanced to third.
DILWORTH homered to left field, 4 RBI; BARLOW scored; BROWN scored;
MUSSATTI scored.
KNOWLES grounded out to ss.
KOEHLER popped up to ss.
17 runs, 10 hits, 2 errors, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 0
LOB.