Fronczak quietly ends high school career as one of South's best hitters
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Catcher Lisa Fronczak closed out her career at Williamsville South earning several team and postseason honors. She's also listed three times in the New York State record book.

While players like Chelsea Plimpton, Michelle Fridey or Dana Carter have grabbed the headlines for Williamsville South softball over the past four years, there's one name that should have earned equal recognition - Lisa Fronczak.

The Williamsville South senior closed out her career as one of the most prolific hitters in school history. Fronczak topped all Lady Billie hitters in career doubles (22), including a school-record nine this season, is behind only Fridey for most career hits (148), is fourth all-time in RBIs (76) and is fifth at the school in triples (11). She's ranked three times in the New York State record books - single-season doubles (sixth), career doubles (eighth) and career hits (13th).

This season, Fronczak was one of three South tri-captains and led the team in hits (38), batting average (.392), RBIs (18), doubles (9), slugging average (.639) and on-base average (.495).

She's also earned All-Western New York, All-ECIC, and ECIC Division II first-team honors and is a WNY Scholar-Athlete. She shared the team's offensive player of the year award with Lauren Falzone. The duo tied for the team lead for least amount of strikeouts during the season with seven.

Fronzcak's accolades aren't too bad for someone who hasn't played her true position in the field at South until her senior year. South coach Gerry Gentner moved Fronczak from catcher to shortstop her freshmen through junior years so Fridey could catch. After Fridey graduated in 2006, Fronczak was moved back to catcher, where she caught for Plimpton.

"I had caught since I was 8 years old, so moving to a different position was really nerve-racking," said Fronczak, who caught every summer during high school with the Amherst Lightning 16U Gold and Lady Mustangs' 18U travel teams. "I developed confidence from the coaches over the years for the position (shortstop). When I was brought back as a catcher my senior year, it was a dream come true."

"If she didn't play behind Michelle, she'd have been an all-star for four years as catcher," said Gentner, who also lauded Fronczak for her leadership as a team captain this past season.

Catching for Plimpton was nothing new for Fronczak. Prior to this season, Fronczak caught for Plimpton on the same Amherst Girls Softball teams from age 8 to 13.

"There are times when we clash, but that's normal because we've known each other for so long," said Fronczak, who has played softball since she was 6. "But we work well together on the field. Off the field, we're also friends."

Fronczak cites her swing at the plate from her father, Jerry, who once tried out for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds.

"Whenever I go to him, I always get my swing back," said Fronczak, who will attend the physician assistant program at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Fronczak, who has helped South to two New York State Class A titles, five sectional championships, five league championships, a 59-game win streak in league play and a 58-game home undefeated streak, said she is definitely going to miss the South coaches and players.

Other South players who won postseason honors were Falzone (All-ECIC), Sam Strapason, Claire Gerlach, Carolyn Schaus, and Devon Powers (ECIC Division II first team), and Robin Donovan and Elena Hozdic (ECIC Division II second team).

Team awards went to Strapason (defensive player of the year; most improved player with Hozdic), Powers (rookie of the year), Donovan (flex player - offense) and Nicolette Neenos (flex player - defense), Falzone (hustle award), Schaus and Gerlach (coaches award), appreciation award (Marty Truesdell), and Gerlach, Neenos, Donovan, Hozdic and Ashley Aurillo (senior awards).

Falzone led South with 31 runs, sixth best all-time at South. Schaus was first on the team with eight triples, tied for second all-time in school history. Gerlach hit a team-high four home runs and 10 base on balls.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com