Newsday Athlete of the Week is Long Beach's Troy DeFrancesco
Troy DeFrancesco of Long Beach pictured on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Lido Beach. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Amidst the crack of bats and the roar of the crowd, one remarkable Long Beach senior has been quietly shattering expectations both on and off the baseball field.
Newsday’s Athlete of the Week, Troy DeFrancesco, is a centerfielder and pitcher whose skills on the diamond are matched only by his brilliance in the classroom.
As the leadoff hitter for Long Beach, DeFrancesco set the program record for batting average (.549) and has led the Marines to a 15-5-1 overall record this season. But what sets him apart is his unwavering dedication to excellence in every aspect of his life, as DeFrancesco also stands at the top of his class as the valedictorian.
“The support that I get from my family, coaches, friends, and teammates facilitates everything and makes it all possible,” said DeFrancesco, who has an unweighted 99 GPA. “It can get difficult to balance, but when I step on the field, it's my favorite thing to do. I try to adhere that same energy when I do homework, finding the positive and a purpose so it can be fulfilling.”
DeFrancesco also captained the Marines’ volleyball team as the libero with 72 digs, 13 aces, and eight assists in the fall. He swam for Long Beach in the winter, competed on its surfing team, is a drummer in the jazz band, president of the Key Club and a member of DECA, National Honor Society and the math team.
“In my time as a coach, I would consider Troy to be a generational player,” said coach Jason Zizza, who has been at the Marines’ helm since 2011. “They don’t come around often when it comes to academics and top baseball skills.”
While describing baseball as his "first love,” DeFrancesco said he never knew the potential he had until his senior season.
“I always thought I was a student first before an athlete,” he said. “Everything started to come together this season and I realized the impact I could have on my team, but my personal success is just a microcosm of our whole team. Whether it’s the physical prowess or the morale, it’s all of us working hard for each other.”
DeFrancesco finished the regular season with 28 hits, 19 runs, 13 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and was only struck out once. He also pitched 13 innings in four games with two starts (2-0) in which he gave up four hits, one earned run, walked one batter and struck out 15 (nine looking).
As DeFrancesco sat for his final exams before preparing to attend Boston College, his focus was on closing out his high school baseball career the way he’s always dreamed.
“I was sitting down taking a test in the gym, and all I’m thinking about is how in the next few weeks we could be champs,” DeFrancesco said. “We’re ready to claim it and add our team to the banner. It would be a dream come true.”
