Name: Jake Francis
High School: The Pingry School, Class of 2023
College: Villanova University, Class of 2027
Sport: Baseball
Position: Pitcher
Villanova Career
Jake Francis has quickly made his mark on Villanova’s pitching rotation, appearing in 36 games with 20 starts across his first two seasons. Through 105.2 innings pitched, Francis has collected a 6.39 ERA, balancing consistency with flashes of dominance on the mound.
During his sophomore season (2025), Francis appeared in 18 games with 12 starts, throwing a career-high 61.1 innings. He recorded a 5-5 record with two saves and tallied a career-best 34 strikeouts against only 15 walks. A highlight came on March 30 against LIU, where he threw six scoreless innings with a career-high five strikeouts.
As a freshman (2024), he appeared in 18 games with eight starts, logging 44.1 innings and holding batters to a .297 average. His longest outing came against Seton Hall on April 12, where he pitched six innings, allowing just four hits and one run while striking out three.
His performance and dedication in the classroom have earned him repeated honors, including the BIG EAST All-Academic Team and multiple selections to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
High School Career
At The Pingry School, Francis was a standout two-sport athlete, earning varsity letters in both baseball and basketball. He captained the baseball team his senior year and set the school’s all-time strikeouts record. His dominance on the mound earned him numerous accolades, including:
- First-Team All-Skyland (2022)
- First-Team All-State Non-Public (2023)
- First-Team All-Prep (2022, 2023)
He also excelled in the classroom, making the Distinguished Honor Roll and being named a Somerset County Scholar Athlete.
Outside of school, Francis tirelessly worked with Zoned Sports Academy, a premier baseball and softball developmental training facility that helps athletes of all ages and skill levels refine their game. His commitment to continuous improvement at Zoned prepared him for the demands of Division I baseball.
Personal
Born February 17, 2005, in Westfield, N.J., Jake is the son of Paul and Susan Francis and has two siblings, Connor and Taylor. When deciding on a college, he chose Villanova for its balance of a competitive Division I baseball program and top-tier academics.
Looking Ahead
Now an upperclassman leader, Francis continues to bring passion, resilience, and leadership to the Villanova mound. With a captain’s role on the horizon and his dedication both on and off the field, Francis embodies the balance of athletics and academics that Villanova prides itself on.