ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN (2011)
AS A JUNIOR IN 2011: Appeared in 10 games and started nine on the mound for the Nittany Lions ... Posted a stellar 4-1 record during the year while ranking third on the squad with 50.2 innings of work ... Finished the season with a 4.09 ERA and 26 strikeouts ... Earned a victory in his first appearance of the season after scattering four runs on six hits over seven innings of work at Old Dominion on March 9 ... Also struck out six and did not surrender a walk against the Monarchs ... Fired an inning of scoreless relief against No. 26 Wichita State on March 18 ... Started three midweek games in March and April, including a victory against Pittsburgh on April 13 ... Did not allow an earned run while striking out three over six innings of work against the Panthers ... Took over a spot in the weekend rotation on April 24 with a four-inning start against Ohio State ... Tossed a season-high eight innings against Iowa on May 8, holding the Hawkeyes to just four hits and one run while striking out four ... Earned his third win of the season after limiting Minnesota to one run over five innings of work on May 15 ... Wrapped up his campaign with six innings of work against Michigan on May 21 ... Allowed just five hits and a pair of unearned runs while picking up the victory against the Wolverines, which clinched a playoff spot for Penn State.
AS A SOPHOMORE IN 2010: Pitched in five games on the season, starting one ... Saw action against Kent State (3/31 & 3/21), Texas State (3/12), Lamar (3/7) and McNeese State (3/5) ... Only start was against the Golden Flashes (3/31), a game the Lions went on to win, 10-8.
AS A FRESHMAN IN 2009: Posted a 1-0 record in first-collegiate season, primarily out of the bullpen ... Final two appearances of the season were midweek starts ... Appeared in eight total games, pitching 12.1 innings with a 9.49 ERA ... Allowed barely over a hit per inning (13 in 12.1 innings) while striking out six ... Dazzled with five hitless innings in first-career start for the win against La Salle (4/29), allowing two base runners ... Pitched a scoreless fifth inning against Kent State (4/1) ... Hurled a 1-2-3 seventh inning as part of 7-4 win at Temple (3/25) ... Had a perfect eighth inning with one strikeout against NYIT (3/22).
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-sport athlete at Souderton High School in both baseball and football ... Led the Indians[apos] baseball team to the PIAA State Finals, a District I Championship and a Suburban One Conference Title in 2007 ... Quarterbacked football team to a conference championship as a senior.
PERSONAL: Full name is Michael Louis Franklin ... Born on January 4, 1990 in Souderton, Pa. ... Parents are Louis and Carol ... Brother of Jessica (21) ... Majoring in business administration.
ON CHOOSING PENN STATE: 'Penn State has been my college of choice since I was a kid. Its combination of academics and athletics are unmatched.'
FRANKLIN[apos]S CAREER STATISTICS
Year ERA W-L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR BF BAA
2009 9.49 1-0 8 2 0 0 0 0 12.1 13 13 13 8 6 4 0 2 48 .271
2011 4.09 4-1 10 9 0 0 0 0 50.2 54 30 23 23 26 7 1 1 229 .278
Total 6.38 5-1 23 12 0 0 0 0 66.1 75 54 47 42 37 13 1 3 318 .288
GETTING TO KNOW MIKE
Major & Why: Business - Management. The Smeal College of Business is world renowned for its high level of education in the business field.
Favorite Thing About Penn State: Besides baseball, the entire town and community revolve around the university.
Favorite Thing About Medlar Field At Lubrano Park: First class facility whether it be the field, locker room or batting cages
Favorite Major League Baseball Player: Ken Griffey Jr.
Favorite Penn State Sport Other Than Baseball: Football
Favorite Athletic Memory at Penn State: My first start as a freshman vs. La Salle
Favorite Athlete (Any Sport): Michael Jordan
Favorite Pro Team: Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite Sports Broadcaster: Harry Kalas
Favorite Musical Artist: The Game & Kanye West
Favorite Movie: A Shawshank Redemption
Favorite TV Show: South Park
Favorite Website: ESPN.com
Favorite Food: Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Hobbies: Video games, fishing, fantasy football
Childhood Idol: Ken Griffey Jr.
Place I[apos]d Like To Visit: Omaha, Nebraska
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Pay off my tuition, buy a car, give half to my parents and then put the rest in the bank and invest
After Penn State, I Would Like To: See where baseball and a degree can take me