BASEBALL HORNETS IN HAWAII

It's the next chapter for two Hornets, who have made a significant impact on the FC baseball program the last two seasons in Diego Franco and Britton Beeson. Both student-athletes played a key role in helping FC go deep in the playoffs (SoCal Regional Finals in 2023 and Super Regionals in 2024), and now they will take their talent and skills to the next level signing with the University of Hawaii.

Diego Franco and Britton Beeson are two outstanding players who have played at Fullerton college since their freshman year. With the help of Coach Chad Baum they were able to accomplish playing baseball at the next level.

Britton Beeson, who grew up in Villa Park and attended Villa Park High School before continuing at Fullerton College started playing at a young age. While growing up it became known that he had developed heart problems which resulted in him having to take certain medications which made him suffer from hearing loss which he still has today. After talking with Beeson, he gave more insight on who he is, his mentality during his commitment and his family. 

Q: What motivates you to work hard as a baseball player?

A: To prove myself and a dream of becoming a professional baseball player, I've always had a dream of becoming an MLB player since I was a little kid and I want to make that little kid proud one day.
-Britton Beeson

Q: How do you maintain physical and mental fitness during off seasons?"

A: I train at ProActive where I work on speed and agility along with that I work on cardio and different aspects which improves my game on the field. Mentally I view the game as seeing a lot of visuality, meditations, affirmations ,along with having a vision of how I do want to play the game.
-Britton Beeson

Q: Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?

A: As a baseball player Mike Trout mainly because he has been my favorite player since I was a little kid, I remember watching his MLB debut on TV. Even though he isn't a baseball player, my second role model is Tom Brady, growing up he didn't have the recognition he has now. If Tom Brady can work hard and become a very successful athlete, who's to say I can't.
-Britton Beeson

Q: What age were you when you started playing baseball, and who got you into the sport of baseball?

A: I have always been around the sport, and I started playing at a young age. I remember taking the plastic bat and just swinging it at Angel Stadium and I started playing T-ball at 3 years old. My whole family introduced me to the sport specifically my aunt and grandpa, ironically none of my family members are athletes but they all enjoy baseball so that resulted in me playing baseball.
-Britton Beeson

Beeson stated that his teammate Diego Franco was the first to commit to Hawaii and when weighing his decisions on where to commit it felt right to commit to Hawaii. Not only because of the coaching staff but because he would be going with someone who knows how the other one plays. With both committing in November of 2023 they each felt that committing together would motivate them in different ways. 

According to Beeson and Franco the transition from a Juco to a D1 school is horrific but knowing that they will be rooming together takes the pressure off some of their concerns. 

During Beeson's time as a Hornet he made a huge impact in his two seasons here at Fullerton College. In 2023 his season at bats were 189, his career at bats for the 2023/24 season totaled to 370. He had 91 career games played and during the 2023 season 66 RBI. After both seasons his RBI totaled to 118.

Franco who attended Bishop Amat High School began his baseball career at age 4 and now at age 20 has been brought to a higher level of Baseball. From his abilities bringing him to Fullerton and now carrying him to University of Hawaii it is safe to say he has natural talent and ability. After talking to Franco, he gave in-sight on who he is as a player and how he got to the level he is at right now.

Q: How do you maintain physical and mental fitness during your off season?

A: A routine is what benefits me the most, I've found that making a schedule is what works for me so I can understand what I have to do as a player. I always keep the same mentality during games and practices.
-Diego Franco 

Q: Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?

A: Definitely Coach Baum, he has been a great role model for me from being my coach. I view him as a life coach in certain aspects by the advice he gives on how to carry ourselves, the standard we should set for ourselves etc.
-Diego Franco 

Q: What age were you when you started playing baseball, and who got you into the sport of baseball?

A: I got into the sport due to my family, my dad played along with my older brothers. I started at age 4 and from then on, I never stopped playing.
-Diego Franco

Q: Between your parents, who do you believe motivates you the most and why?

A: Between the both I think it is mutual they give their support because at the end of the day it is all on me. I know what I must do as a player and at the end of the day it is me who's up to bat not them.
-Diego Franco

Q: You committed to Hawaii back in 2023 what and who led you to that decision?

A: When Coach Keith Zuniga reached out, I felt that the environment they have going would be the best for me. The program they have established is what really drew me to that school based on everything. The coaching staff is what really stood out to me too due to their mentality and their coaching style.
-Diego Franco

Q: From the time you started playing baseball to now in college did you ever deal with an injury or setback, if so how did you overcome that setback?

A: With being a baseball player there are always setbacks, one thing I do want to acknowledge is that during my high school career I was never a main starter not until I got to Fullerton and Coach Baum really helped me discover the player I am and the player I want to be.
-Diego Franco

Q: With Coach Baum being your coach, how do you feel he has prepared you for the next level of baseball?

A: With Coach Baum being my coach, he prepared me for the next level mentally and physically, he has given me tips that will carry on with me no matter where I am in life and where I am with my baseball career.
-Diego Franco

Congratulations to Diego and Britton! 

*Story by Kailee Avina