California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Versatile Jennifer Doty-Frantz was a four-year starting catcher and second baseman for the softball team from 2003-06.

The 2005 PSAC West Athlete of the Year, Frantz earned first-team all-conference honors four times, twice as a catcher and two more at second base. She was also a three-time all-region selection and a two-time academic all-district honoree.

Cal U 24th-year softball head coach Rick Bertagnolli said playing those two positions is an unusual combination, but a testament to Frantz's athleticism and unselfishness. 

"Her willingness to do whatever the team needed showed what a total team player she was," Bertagnolli said. "She just went out there and obviously played at a very high level to receive the honors that she did.

"Jenn always put the team first and made the most of her opportunities here both with softball and academics."

Frantz becomes the 17th softball player to receive Cal U's highest individual athletic honor. 

"I know a lot of the softball players in the Hall of Fame are from the national championship teams (eight) so this is personally a big honor for me to be part of this group," Frantz said.

Frantz batted .344 her freshman season and helped the Vulcans compile a 28-8 overall record and win a 15th-straight PSAC West with a 17-3 divisional mark. The team finished second at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament.

In 2004, Frantz earned her first all-conference honor at second base. Cal U won 31 of 42 games, finished second at the PSAC Tournament and made its 15th-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

As a junior, Frantz achieved one of the best individual seasons in program history and was ranked among the NCAA Division II leaders in six different offensive categories. 

Earning all-conference honors at catcher, her .979 slugging percentage and .446 batting average ranked third and sixth, respectively, in the nation. She also produced 14 home runs (seventh), 49 RBI (10th), 17 doubles (10th), and 47 runs scored (14th).

"That was just a career year for her, she just tore it up," said Bertagnolli. "Making the top 10 in any category on the national level, and even our school records, is just tremendous.

"When you consider all the quality players that have been in this program it's really amazing that 12 years later after Jenn played her accomplishments still rank right up there."

In 2006 Frantz batted a team-high .373, including 13 doubles, and earned another all-conference nod at second base. Her senior season culminated with the Vulcans returning to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence.

Frantz's .387 career batting average and 41 career doubles still rank fifth and sixth, respectively, in the school record book.

She is listed in six different single-season categories from her 2005 season, including second in home runs and doubles and third in batting average. Her slugging percentage in 2005 still ranks as second-best mark in PSAC history.

Cal U softball compiled a 109-52 cumulative win-loss record and a 56-24 divisional mark during Frantz's playing career with two PSAC West championships and three NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament appearances.

"I came to Cal's softball camp when I was in high school and you could just feel it was a special program and something I wanted to be part of," Frantz said. "Everyday they did the same thing in-and-out to prepare. Everything was methodical, well thought out and I liked that structure."

She also competed for one season with the Cal U women's track & field team.

Frantz earned an associate degree as a physical therapist assistant at Cal U and a bachelor's degree in sport management with a concentration in wellness and fitness through Cal U Global Online.

Frantz is originally from Trappe, Maryland. She graduated from Easton High School where she was a multi-year standout in softball, volleyball and basketball.

A scholastic shortstop, Frantz helped the Warriors' softball team win Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) Class 2A championships during her sophomore and senior seasons.

"Honestly it really did not matter to me where I played," said Frantz about playing multiple positions on the diamond.  "Wherever they needed me was fine, I just wanted to be out there."

She credits Bertagnolli for helping her enjoy continued team success at the collegiate level.

"I've been fortunate to always have great coaches and I knew I wanted to play for Cal and his coaching style," said Frantz. "Although we didn't win national championships we continued to do well and Cal puts out great players year after year out which certainly says something about his coaching."

Today, Frantz is the therapy program manager at Caroline Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Denton, Maryland, where she oversees physical, occupational and speech therapy.

She and her husband, Justin, live in Trappe. They have three children: daughter Isabella, 4, and sons Aiden, 6, and Nathaniel, 1.

Frantz credits Cal U for helping her on her career and life's path.

"I started in athletic training education and it was great they accepted players, but I changed to PTA for the purpose of being at home, raising a family and having more of a normal work schedule rather than weekend and nights with teams," she explained.

"When I was in classes the professors would welcome your questions or stay after to work with you. I thought the programs at Cal U did a great job of preparing us for what was to come in the workforce."

Understandably her upcoming hall of fame honor has caused Frantz to reflect and consider a family tradition of playing ball.

"This brings back memories and I started playing probably at age six so it was good for me to take a break and start a family," she said. "But now my son is six and I've been explaining this honor to him and the difference between softball and baseball.

"It's been exciting and I think it's time for him to starting playing too."

updated 04/19/17