Vanguard University

The athlete: Matt is a four-year senior at Vanguard…returns for his final season after making 14 appearances on the mound in 2005…pitched in 35.2 innings as a junior…recorded a 3.53 ERA and a 1-1 record for the Lions…has 36 career pitching appearances at VUSC…one of three four-year Lions on the roster…graduated in 2002 from Rancho Cucamonga High School…played baseball at RCHS under coach Sean Sullivan…named Best Offensive Player…received Coaches’ Award…also played football at RCHS…bats right and throws right…right-handed hurler with good poise…hard worker…solid baseball fundamentals and understanding of the game…has played outfield for the Lions, but will primarily focus on pitching as a senior…throws hard and loose…good control…a balanced team player with a good attitude…expect a strong finish from Franco.

The person: Matthew David Franco was born on August 18, 1984 in Long Beach, California to his parents Chuck and Sheryl Franco…his brother Josh also played four years of baseball at Vanguard…goes by “Matt” for short…is a senior in History/Political Science at Vanguard…sports hero is Orel Hersheiser…likes to eat at In-N-Out…roots for the LA Dodgers baseball team…favorite movie is “Troy”…prefers the number 11…watches “Baseball Tonight” on television…loves the color “Dodger Blue”…favorite place is Dodger stadium…enjoys surfing…feels the biggest problem in the world is greed…believes that this year’s team will do what it takes to win…competing in athletics has taught him about focus…wants to become a Police Officer, a good husband, and a man of God.

Matt’s closing thoughts: Vanguard has been an amazing place to grow spiritually and athletically.  I want people to remember me as a good Christian guy who was more than a baseball player.

Coach Mallernee’s comments: Matt has made a lot of improvement since last spring.  He is going to be our go to guy out of the pen and possibly start some games.  He is an outstanding young man.