For the second year in a row, a Franklin baseball player sits atop the national rankings in a statistical category.

Sophomore first baseman Drew Helton was crowned as the NCAA Division III leader in doubles per game after smacking a school-record 24 two-baggers in 37 contests this spring. His average of .65 per contest was safely ahead of the runner-up norm of .57.

Only one player in Division III totaled more doubles than Helton's 24 — TJ Liponis of Endicott, who needed 21 more games (58) to collect 27 for the year.

A year ago, Griz infielder Josh Girvan led the nation in stolen bases per game.

Helton was a first team All-HCAC performer and an ABCA All-Region pick this season after batting a team-high .403 with seven home runs and 49 runs batted in. He ranked among the conference leaders in most major offensive categories and posted a .997 fielding percentage at first.