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Franklin getting ready for a new challenge on the college fields

Aug 2 2024

 Drew Franklin enjoyed a very successful career during his time playing baseball for the Fortuna Huskies, and now he’s hoping to do the same at College of the Redwoods.

The Fortuna standout pitcher, who graduated on Friday night, recently signed a letter of intent to play for the Corsairs as he gets set for the next chapter in his life.

Franklin was a member of the legendary Fortuna team that claimed the program’s first Big 5 conference championship in 48 years during his junior year.

That team would go on to win the school’s first-ever Charles Lakin tournament title just a week later, solidifying its place in Fortuna sports history.

And Franklin is hoping to carry that momentum to CR.

“My main goal is to help the team in whatever way I can,” he said. “And doing whatever I can to find success and help the team.”

His high school coach, Max Betts, who led the team to that historic double championship in his first year in charge, believes Franklin has the tools and aptitude to succeed at the next level.

“Drew meant a lot to our program all four years he played,” said Betts, who also played at CR. “He’s a great person, a hard worker and a true competitor. He was a big part of making history for the Husky baseball program, and I believe all three of those qualities are huge factors in why he was successful at Fortuna.

“I think Drew will find success at the next level because he is very coachable. He’s also always around the strike zone, which helps keep his fielders in the game.

“I look forward to watching Drew at CR next season.”

Franklin, who joins Eureka’s Jorge Lopez in committing his future to CR, says he choose CR for multiple reasons, including its proximity to home.

“CR is local, it’s close to home and it will give me the opportunity to save some money and continue playing baseball,” he said.

And he’s excited about the possibilities.

“It’s starting to grow bigger,” he said of the program.

Franklin, who was a team leader for the Huskies this year, will be expected to come in and have an immediate impact on the hill for his new team, although he may end up contributing in more ways than that.

“My main role with the team will be pitching,” the Fortuna graduate said. “Although (coach Kokko Figueiredo) said don’t count out playing first base as well.”

As for his time at Fortuna, not surprisingly the Huskies standout said one of the things he will remember the most is the historic championship season during his junior year.

“I was just really happy to be a part of that team,” he said.

But that’s not the only thing he’ll remember from his playing days at Fortuna.

Earlier this year he combined with younger brother Tanner, a freshman, to pitch in a 7-3 win over South Fork.

The older brother got the start and threw six strong innings, before Betts approached him in the dugout in the seventh and asked if he wanted to finish the game or hand the ball to his younger sibling.

The senior team leader quickly opted for the latter, and got to cheer his younger brother from the dugout.

“I got to play with my little brother and made some nice memories with him that I’ll never forget,” Drew said.

Drew has also played basketball, but opted to focus on baseball during high school, and it’s a decision that has clearly paid off.

“I’ve been playing since I was pretty young, like T-ball,” he said. “It’s always been my favorite sport, and I’ve always had the most success out of it.

“I love pitching and being in control. I like that I’m the one who’s in control of the game. I can control the pace.”

Several people have influenced him along his baseball journey, but one person in particular stands out.

“My dad (Nathan Franklin) was probably my biggest influence,” he said. “He played at Fortuna too.”

Drew said he is leaning towards majoring in Kinesiology and would consider continuing his playing career at a four-year program after his time at CR.

“I’m going to see how CR goes the next couple of years and go from there,” he said. “I haven’t made up my mind yet.”