SIR FRANCIS

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals are currently 13-7 overall and the 7 seed in the OHSAA Division 3 state baseball playoffs in the Struthers district and they will be preparing to take on the Columbiana Clippers in the sectional round game on Wednesday, May 19th, at Firestone Park in Columbiana. The Cardinals have been enjoying a solid season that has been successful because of the leadership that they get day in and day out from catcher, Ian Francis!

Francis is currently having a great senior campaign as he is hitting .420 (21/50) in eighteen games, with five doubles, two triples, a homer, and 18 RBIs. Not only is Ian’s average very solid, his OBP (on base percentage) is currently at .567 and he is slugging .660. Ian has been such a valuable piece to the Cardinal Mooney baseball program throughout his career, that he has shown just how to play ball the Mooney way and because of that, even when the COVID pandemic occurred, his teammates all knew to look for him for leadership and guidance to see how to go about navigating such a difficult time.

Francis has been able to showcase his baseball talents and leadership qualities for Cardinal Mooney all season long and because of that ability to lead by example on and off the diamond, colleges have been chomping at the bit to recruit him and add them to their programs. Throughout the entire recruiting process, Ian has been able to take a step back, enjoy it all, and has committed to Youngstown State University where he will continue to catch for the Penguins!

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down and catch up with Ian this week to discuss his baseball career, what he expects from the Cardinals on Wednesday against a tough Clippers squad, what his thoughts are about playing ball at the next level at YSU, a rapid-fire question session to see what makes Ian the player he is today, and so much more!

Take some time to check out this exclusive player profile with Cardinal Mooney baseball senior star catcher, Ian Francis!

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