Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations
DOVER, Del., April 26, 2021 -- When Delaware State senior Nicolette Barranger singled in her final at bat in the seventh inning of the Hornets' 4-0 softball loss to Norfolk State last weekend, it represented more than a ray of hope for a Hornets' comeback.
The hit was the 100th of Barranger's collegiate career, which began at Hartford (Conn.) University, following four standout high school years in southern New Jersey.
When Barranger was impressing college coaches as a speedy multi-position player at Haddonfield Memorial High School, her head coach was Jeff Franquet, now in his second season as Delaware State's head softball coach. That means she holds the unique distinction of collecting her 100th hit in high school and college for the same head coach.
Barranger was wrapping up her third year at Hartford when Franquet accepted the Delaware State position in July 2019, bringing extensive college coaching experience to the Hornets, highlighted by a historic four-year run at Central Connecticut University, where he is the school's all-time leader with 115 wins.
Barranger graduated early from Hartford with a degree in Biology in Dec. 2020. Despite some playing eligibility remaining, she was less than certain whether to continue competing…until a conversation with Franquet led to talk of suiting up for her old coach again…this time at Delaware State.
"I so much enjoyed playing for coach Franquet in high school," Barranger said. "He has an awesome approach to the game and how he relates to his players. I'm grateful for the opportunity to play for him at Delaware State. The experience here with the coaching staff and my teammates has reminded me how much I love the game."
Barranger has fit in nicely for the Hornets. She is one of five players on the team to start in all 31 games this season. She is second among team regulars with a .300 batting average (24-for-80), is tied for third on the club with 24 hits and ranks second with two triples.
"I can remember telling Nicolette the first time I saw her play that she was a legitimate Division I player with endless amounts of talent," Franquet said. "I am so proud of Nicolette and her family. She has a great supporting cast in her family. Her two siblings are great athletes, and her foundation has always been solid. I'm grateful to be a part of her special journey."
After completing this semester of studies at Delaware State, Barranger will enroll at the Creighton School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb., in the fall.