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Signee Spotlight: Francesca Frelick

By Polar Crush, 02/04/20, 12:00PM EST

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DURHAM, N.C. – Massachusetts catcher and utility player Francesca Frelick is officially a Blue Devil as Duke softball head coach Marissa Young announced the signing of Frelick to the 2020 signee class.
 
A native of Lexington, Mass., Frelick will travel down the east coast to Duke after she finishes her career at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Mass. The two-time captain has batted .450+ in all four seasons under head coach Frank Sorrenti.
 
Frelick's junior season brought various accolades as she was named Division III Softball Athlete of the Year in the state of Massachusetts, a Catholic Conference League All-Star and to the All-Scholastic team. She batted .560 with 48 hits and three home runs throughout the season. Frelick played an integral part in her team winning the Division III Massachusetts State Championship in June 2019. 
 
During her sophomore season, Frelick batted a .531 average with 43 hits and a career-best 10 home runs on her way to CCL All-Star and All-Scholastic honors.
 
Her freshman season brought career-highs in batting average (.631) and hits (53). In addition, Frelick tallied 10 bombs as she was named a CCL All-Star.
 
Frelick made an impact at the varsity level at an earlier age than most. The standout recorded a .453 batting average with 39 hits as an eighth-grader. 
 
On the travel ball scene, Frelick played catcher and third base for the Polar Crush for six years. This fall she posted a .420 average after hitting .457 this summer.
 
In addition to behind a standout on the diamond, Frelick also played five years on the ice as she was a defenseman for the varsity ice hockey team. She and her teammates captured the Division I Massachusetts State Championship in 2016 as an eighth-grader. The three-time CCL All-star will captain the side in 2020 after serving as an assistant captain for the last two seasons.
 
Off the field, Frelick is a member of National Honor Society, Honor roll and the Unitas Leadership Academy at Austin Prep. She also volunteers at the Youville Place, an assisted living community for senior citizens with memory loss, and at St. Brigid Parish as an altar server.
 
The daughter of Jeff and Patty Frelick, Francesca was born on June 6, 2001 in Boston, Mass. Francesca is the youngest of three children as she has two older brothers, Nico and Sal. Her father played football and Pittsburgh (1983-87) and brother, Sal, is a current member of the Boston College baseball team.
 
For more information on Frelick and Duke softball, follow the Blue Devils on TwitterFacebook and Instagram by searching for "DukeSoftball". You can also find all-access coverage of all Duke athletic programs on SnapChat by searching for "dukeathletics".
 
GET TO KNOW FRANCESCA:
 
Why Duke?
"Duke participates in the high-level Atlantic Coast Conference and has an outstanding academic reputation. What stood out the most to me is the way Coach Young and the program promotes the same values that I was raised on – hard work, integrity, discipline and accountability."
 
Who has made the biggest impact on your life?
"My brother Sal has had the biggest impact on my life. He not only spent countless hours with me playing outside and teaching me various sports skills, but has taught me perseverance, work ethic and how sacrifice leads to success. He has also shown me how not to fall victim to failure but to use it, along with criticism, as an incentive to work harder."
 
What is the best advice you have received?
"Don't dwell on past failures. Get over it, plan and prepare for what is ahead."
 
Favorite Softball memory?
"Being the first softball team in Austin Prep history to win the Division III Massachusetts State Championship in June 2019."
 
Favorite athlete?
"I have two. First, David Ortiz, who was a clutch hitter at big moments. Second, Sidney Crosby, who has made many life sacrifices to be great at his sport. He always stands up for his teammates, acknowledges his fans and gives back to the community.
 
#GoDuke