In fact, she often went for walks on the wild side after deciding to become a fast-pitch softball pitcher when she was 10 years old.
"I had horrible control for years," said Edwardsville's ace. "I had the speed, but the control came later. When I was about 10 or 11, I threw one over the backstop actually. Most girls were just scared to face me because I threw pretty hard for my age, and I was so inconsistent."
Francis, 17, has tamed her wildness. She posted a 23-3 record with an 0.33 ERA for the Tigers this season, earning her News-Democrat's Class 3A-4A Softball Player of the Year honors.
Francis beat out Belleville West shortstop Kerri Dockins and Belleville East pitcher Autumn Allen for the honor in voting by metro-east coaches.
Francis was the Tigers' No. 2 pitcher behind senior Sydney Greenwalt in 2007, but she blossomed in the role of No. 1 pitcher this season.
Francis struck out 163 batters and walked only 32 batters in 149 innings this season for the Southwestern Conference champion Tigers.
"This year, I really thought she matured as a pitcher," Edwardsville coach Lori Blade said of Francis. "She did a better job when she was ahead in the count of getting the ball out of the strike zone a bit, and really setting up things better by doing more so-called pitching than just throwing."
Francis said she learned a lot by watching Greenwalt.
"It was pretty cool to be able to watch her and see what she did," Francis said. "And talking to her a lot, especially after hearing her say things like, 'I should have thrown this, but I threw this instead.'
"Every since the season ended last year, I was looking forward to being the No. 1 (pitcher) this year, and I worked really hard to keep it."
Francis went 12-0 and didn't allow an earned run in SWC play. She also had a streak of 55 consecutive scoreless innings that was snapped during the Tigers' season-ending 5-4 loss to Moline in the Class 4A Normal Sectional.
"That wasn't me, that was my defense," Francis said of her scoreless inning streak. "They came up with some huge plays behind me, not to mention the everyday plays. That was all them."
Blade said Francis' coolness in pressure situations is one of her best attributes. That's why she chose Francis as her starting pitcher last year in the semifinals of the Class AA State Tournament.
"I trusted her last year to throw her in the semifinal game," Blade said. "Her composure is always very good, very steady. There were times where she could have gotten frustrated with some errors behind her in a couple of games, but she didn't. She has always been very composed."
Francis said she started pitching at the urging of Leigh Perica, the daughter of her coach.
"Actually, I had no interest in pitching until my coach's older daughter convinced me that we were so young that we should at least give it a shot," Francis said. "She convinced me to start taking lessons, and I never stopped."
While Francis continues to take lessons from local pitching guru Joe Nunez, Perica eventually gave up pitching in favor of becoming a cheerleader.
Francis throws five different pitches -- riseball dropball, drop curveball, changeup and fastball -- but her riseball is her favorite pitch.
Francis said her father, Greg Francis, has played an integral role in her development as a pitcher.
"I couldn't do it without my dad," Francis said. "He goes to all my lessons with me, and he knows how I throw better than anyone."
Francis also developed a connection with sophomore catcher Rachel Coonrod this season.
Coonrod took over the catching duties from Jessica McConnell, who moved to second base after suffering a knee injury during basketball season.
"I love Jess because she has been my catcher since I was 10 years old, but Rachel and I played a season together when we were younger, and I had thrown to her before," Francis said. "Once I got into practice, she was catching me everyday, so we got used to each other. We're good friends."
Francis said she's considering Lindenwood University, but she's leaving her college options open.
"I just want to go to school where I am going to play at a competitive level and improve over the next four years," Francis said.
Francis said she wants to major in nursing. She'd like to work in an emergency room.
"It's always changing and it's exciting," Francis said. "I like that kind of pressure."
Belleville West's Bob Yagge, who guided the Maroons to the finals of the Class 4A Normal Community Sectional in his last season as coach, was chosen as Coach of the Year.
Yagge has retired after 27 years of coaching softball in Belleville.
Four of Francis' teammates also earned a spot on the All-Area first team, including Coonrod, third baseman Nicole Ritzheimer, outfielder Sophie Berman and designated hitter Becca Strope.
The Triad Knights, champions of the Mississippi Valley Conference, had three players on the first team. They were: catcher Nan Haines, first baseman Renee Rheinecker and second baseman Che' Hanbrink.
Contact reporter Steve Korte at 239-2522.
