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Name: Bella Francona
School: Claysburg-Kimmel
Age: 14
Grade: Freshman
Sport: Softball
Athlete of the week achievement: Francona went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and scored both runs for Claysburg-Kimmel in a 2-0 win over South Williamsport that put the Lady Bulldogs in the PIAA semifinals. She also tripled and scored a run in a 9-0 victory over Upper Dauphin in the first round of the PIAA tournament.
Season update: Francona is batting .459 with 15 RBIs, three doubles, three triples and a home run for the 20-4 Lady Bulldogs.
Coach Mike Barbarini's quote: "Bella is a freshman that at the beginning of the season worked very hard to improve, and she's reaping the benefits of making herself a better player."
Favorite teacher: Miss Benson
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite movie: "Moana"
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite song: "Mercy" by Shawn Mendes
Outside interests: Basketball
Favorite professional team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Favorite college team: Texas
Pro athlete most admired: Jennie Finch
Best athlete I ever competed against: Central Cambria's Kami Kamzik
Most influential person on my athletic career: My aunt, Jess Veverka
Proudest athletic achievement: Making it to the playoffs and playing in the District 6 championship.
How I got my start in softball: "I started in T-ball and started travel ball when I turned 10.''
Future goal: To play softball in college