Shadyside’s Francis signs to play at D-I Oakland University

SHADYSIDE - As a two-sport standout, Shadyside's Rhys Francis was headed towards a tough decision once his high school playing days were over. A quarterback in football and a pitcher in baseball, Francis was receiving college offers from D-II and D-III schools in both sports.

However, an injury kind of forced his hand.

Francis went down against Buckeye Local with a neck injury. He remained sidelined for the remainder of the season as the Tigers advanced to the Division VII, Region 27 finals before bowing to Newark Catholic.

"It was a tough decision between football and baseball throughout my four years of high school but, sadly, when I suffered the football injury it let me focus more on baseball."

The focus paid off as Francis signed Friday afternoon to continue his baseball career at Division I Oakland University.

Although his rehabilitation was successful, it took time.

"It was a slow start to my rehabilitation because I wasn't fully healthy during my workouts," he admitted.

What drew him to the Detroit suburbs?

"It was far enough away from home which is something I really wanted," he noted. "They also have a new coach and he seems to put the work and time in. I also liked the environment."

He said it will also be a change of pace.

"It's exciting to have new opportunities instead of facing the same old faces, plus it's an opportunity to make new connections."

"It feels great," he admitted. "I've been playing baseball all my life and dreaming about playing at the Division I level in college for as long as I can remember."

"I think Rhys will fit in fine. He's a super hard worker. He's a great ballplayer and a great competitor," Shadyside head baseball coach Shawn Selmon said. "I think he would fit in at any Division I school."

When asked what Francis has meant to the Tigers program, Selmon didn't hesitate in spreading the wealth around.

"It's hard to put into words how much this senior class has meant to this program," he stressed. "Without them we're not a contender. Without them we're not as good of a team or as fun of a team. These kids are a great group to be around and Rhys is one of the leaders.

"They all love the game, and you can tell."

As a freshman, Francis was 1-1 in 10.2 innings of work. He had nine strikeouts and hit .354 in 20 games. His sophomore season was wiped out by COVID-19 and he posted a superb 6-1 mark on the hill as a junior as he fanned 92 in 42.1 innings and fashioned a 1.49 ERA. He also batted .312 in 28 games. This season, he has worked 13.2 innings, struck out 26 and has posted an ERA of 1.36 while hitting .286.

Francis is the son of Valerie and Tony Francis of Colerain.