Oswego State softball head coach Abby Martin takes advantage of students transferring from junior college to bigger universities when deciding the next year’s roster every season. That strategy did not change when she recruited junior Angela Frampton from Corning Community College to be an asset both in the batter’s box and in the pitching circle.

Martin has done well with transfers this season, taking two other transfers. Casey Gray, who came from Cayuga Community College in Auburn, and Emily Knowlden, who also came from Corning Community College. She has four transfer players on the team, including Frampton.

“A lot of coaches don’t recruit the junior college as much as they should,” Martin said. “I take advantage of that for the fact that they have college experience. They have college softball under their belt, which goes a long way.”

Frampton was a standout athlete for the Red Barons during both seasons she was at Corning Community College. During her sophomore season, she led the team with 77 strikeouts at the circle, and had a .459 batting average, which was fourth on the team.

Her impressive play earned her Second Team Academic All-American honors, as well as conference and regional honors both years. Frampton hopes to be able to use that as confidence boosters to improve her skills while at Oswego State.

“She’s been able to [prove herself] and start competing under the NCAA,” Martin said. “She’s a big-time player and we’re happy to have her.”

Frampton had a “killer week” in Florida, according to Martin. While pitching, she earned a 2.25 earned runs against average in four games, as well as a .561 batting average during the spring break trip. Frampton attributed her early success to the practices and drills that the team worked on.

“Getting one percent better each day,” Frampton said. “I think that really helped.”

While Frampton was a big name to enter the program, Martin said she has a “good problem” with her pitching now. Rebecca Vilchez, who played in 29 games and had a 2.33 ERA during her freshman season, and Frampton will be able to rotate during the season.

Martin said not only does she have a top pitching staff, but she has “two aces” with Vilchez and Frampton.

Both players also are strong players in the field and offensively, which makes it easier for rotation, Martin said.

“I can literally do free substitutions and just have them come into pitch to whoever I want to,” Martin said. “They create a good situation strategically for us.”

With Vilchez as another pitcher, Frampton was able to add “her own set of shoes” to the lineup on that side of the field. However, she has been able to replace a strong batting presence left by Ashley Lyman, who graduated last season.

Lyman had a career .296 batting average with 14 home runs in the four years she was a Laker. She also accumulated 75 runs batted in during her career.

“Right now, [Frampton’s] getting it done,” Martin said. “I had to fight for her, and I’m glad I did.”

Sometimes the concern for transfer students, especially from junior colleges where they might have been closer to home, is the transition. However, for Frampton, there were not any major issues coming to Oswego, which is about 2 1/2 hours away from her hometown of Corning.

“It was a really easy transition, not a big change,” Frampton said. “Just a couple of workouts are different.”

Frampton may be new to Oswego State and the SUNYAC, but she already has goals and expectations for her team as the season now comes into full swing. She said the team is hoping for a winning season, something that has not been done since 1998 after an 18-15 season. The closest the team have come since 2005, when they had a .500 record.

Last season, after losing to then-No. 1 SUNY Cortland, the Lakers were eliminated from the SUNYAC championships. Frampton and the rest of her team also hope to win the SUNYAC championship, something that has not been done in the history of the program.

“I think my team is behind me in trying to accomplish those goals for us,” Frampton said.

Oswego State’s season is now getting into gear, weather permitting. They begin their SUNYAC play on March 30 against SUNY Cortland in a double header at the Oswego State softball field.

As for Frampton’s role with the team, the team will look to her both offensively and defensively each game. But, with a talented team around her, she will look to continue her impressive play as a Laker instead of a Red Baron.

“Throwing the ball and hitting the ball,” Martin said. “It doesn’t get much simpler than that.”

Photo Provided by Dave Schofield