Randy's Ramblings, 2003

Randy Seidman is a constant at Washington games and has offered to file reports. We appreciate his hustle. Randy graduated from Washington, which his son attends. Randy is an award-winning producer of televised sporting events and now works for CN8, in addition to doing free-lance work for major networks and The News Gleaner. His career highlight -- producing games, on back-to-back days, when Julius Erving scored his 30,000th point and Mike Schmidt slammed his 500th homer. He may be reached at ChyNotes@aol.com.
Click here to see his reports from 2002.

MAY 29
PUBLIC LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
Northeast 11, Washington 5
It was like déjà vu, all over again! When the Northeast Vikings raced out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning against the Washington Eagles, players and coaches on both teams had thoughts dancing around in their heads of their most recent meeting just four weeks ago. As everyone by now knows, the date was May 1, the site was Washington’s field, and the result was Washington 24, Northeast 23. The Vikings had an 8-0 first inning lead and an 11-2 second inning lead. That’s where the similarities between these two games ended. In the marathon on May 1, GW was able to get on the board in each of the first two innings, giving them confidence and keeping them in the game. However, in the semifinal game, it was a different story, thanks in large part to Craig Solomon. The junior righthander made his first appearance of the season against GW, and promptly retired the first six batters he faced, enabling his Vikings to settle in with the 7-0 lead. By the time Washington started to hit Solomon reducing the lead to 8-3 in the fourth, NE coach Sam Feldman was ready to turn to his ace, jr LHP Andrew Lihotz. Andrew was up to the task, ending GW’s rally, and surrendering two meaningless runs in the final inning as Northeast defeated Washington 11-5, earning the right to play Frankford in the title game. This is the second straight season Northeast beat Washington in the semifinals
LAST MENTION OF THE 24-23 GAME: "That loss to Washington actually worked to our advantage," Vikings coach Sam Feldman said. "We were up 8-0 early in that game, and we let them get back in. We didn’t want Washington to come back again. We were really hungry for this game."
REALLY LAST MENTION OF THE 24-23 GAME: The home plate umpire was none other than James Scott. So what? Scott was a witness to the now famous, or infamous marathon affair, as the bases umpire. Along with plate umpire, Eddie Grove, Scott was on his feet for the entire 4-hour, 6-minute epic that featured 434 pitches, 6 lead changes and 7 bat arounds.
AT BAT SALUTE: The Randy’s Ramblings Key At Bat of the Game goes to sr 2B Jeff Barow. After GW closed the lead to 8-3, Barow came up to bat in the top of the sixth with jr SS Joe Cross on second base and no outs. GW sr LHP Harry Parfitt got ahead in the count, but Barow continued to battle, fouling off pitch after pitch. Finally on the 9th pitch of the at bat, Jeff stroked an opposite field RBI single. Northeast went on to score three runs in that inning, extending their lead to 11-3. Even though Barow muscled two shots off of the left-field fence for a single and double earlier, the 9-pitch at bat was just as impressive.
WHAT AN EXAMPLE: Vikings All-Public jr LF Bryan Adamson is one of my favorites in The Pub. The hard-nosed cleanup hitter went 4-for-10 against GW this season with 2 doubles and a triple, and was hit by three pitches. It’s a real treat to watch NE first base coach Dennis Weiner communicate with Bryan when he is a base runner. Bryan is hearing impaired, but certainly has not let that deter him from becoming an outstanding high school player.
FAREWELL: Even though Washington’s seniors didn’t win any championships, their regular season successes and the back-to-back semifinal playoff appearances, provided many thrills that will last a lifetime. The nine departing seniors are two-time All-Public Dennis Massott, All-Public and Northeast News Gleaner Player of the Year, Harry Parfitt, cleanup batter Bruce Bauer, starting SS Steve Kern, starting CF Marcus Kennedy, starting C and inspirational leader Billy Coles, and reserve players Scott Haze, Jim Micoletti, Mike Marcelline. What a great group of guys!
MORE EAGLES STUFF: The annual GW sports banquet will be held on Wednesday, June 11th. Not only will it be the last time for the baseball team to assemble, but it will also honor the Eagles’ girls soccer champions. Led by Public League Player of the Year Melissa Gamble, the Eagles won their second consecutive title under the guidance of coach Al Piano. Well done!!

MAY 27
PUBLIC LEAGUE QUARTERFINAL
Washington 7, Olney 2
The George Washington High School baseball team is returning to the Public League semifinals for the second straight year after defeating a tough, scrappy Olney team, 7-2. Sr RHP Dennis Massott tossed five innings of 2-run ball, to pick up the win, his third in as many starts this season. Sr 1B/LHP Harry Parfitt smashed a 2-run home run in the fifth, then relieved Massott and hurled two scoreless innings to preserve the win. The Eagles (11-5) now face Northeast (10-6), the very team that eliminated them in the semis a year ago.
Olney’s bid for an upset got derailed in the first inning. After Massott fanned sr RHP Edwin DeLeon looking to end the top half of the inning, GW responded with five runs in the bottom half, all coming before the first out was recorded. Uncharacteristic wildness by DeLeon resulted in five walks in the inning. Olney’s acting coach Jeff McKenna, was unhappy with the home plate umpire’s calling of balls and strikes, pointing out that DeLeon issued just four walks, along with 65 strikeouts in 45 innings pitched this season. Back-to-back bases loaded walks to jr 3B Ken Radziak and Parfitt, along with jr 2B Adam Eisman’s 2-run single staked the Eagles to a 5-0 lead, as the Washington faithful were thinking romp. However, the Trojans showed their resolve by getting back in the game in the top of the second, thanks to a huge hit by fr 1B Juan Torres. With two on and two out and a 0-2 count, the ninth-grader laced a double to deep center, scoring two runs and reawakening the Trojans bench. The momentum sparked DeLeon’s pitching, as the Division B MVP shut the Eagles out the next three innings, keeping Olney within striking distance. However, a number of costly Olney baserunning mistakes, along with some excellent GW infield defense, kept the score at 5-2 until Parfitt went deep in the fifth, clearing The Gray Monster in right-center for his third round-tripper of the season. The estimated 330-foot blast scored sr DH/OF Bruce Bauer, who led the inning off with a single. Bauer finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. GW coach Max Bilkins then went to his ace, Parfitt, to pitch the final two innings. "Dennis Massott came through for us today," Bilkins said. "We were hoping to get four innings out of him and then go to our relievers, but he had a quick fifth inning and then I decided to go to Harry to close things out."
WEB GEMS: Both teams made all the plays defensively, but three plays stood out. Olney soph 3B Carlos Beltre made a big-league barehand grab of a slow grounder and nailed GW’s speedy sr SS Steve Kern. Kern was flawless in his six chances, most notably on an apparent single up the middle. Ranging all the way to his left, Kern’s diving stop and throw for the force-out gave GW back the momentum it had earlier lost. Ken Radziak robbed DeLeon of a hit with his Scott Rolen-like stop. Playing in, Radziak went to his knees to make the grab, got up and nailed the lead runner.
THE ACTING COACH: No, he’s not the Olney drama coach. He is Jeff McKenna, the Trojans’ interim coach while regular coach Barry Strube fulfills his military obligation. "Jeff McKenna has done a great job with this team," Strube said of his fill-in. "I try to help out when I’m around. I am hoping to be de-mobilized next week and return to Olney. I’ve been mobilized since September 28, 2001, and I was disappointed not to be sent to overseas during the war." McKenna is quick to point out that his job was made easier this year by increased involvement by the parents of his players. For the record, Olney finished 13-1 in the regular season, and have only one graduating senior, DeLeon.
2-RUN EIS-MUN: Adam Eisman loves seeing runners on base when he steps to the plate. In the two playoff games, he has stroked a pair of 2-run singles and a 2-run double.
ALUMNI SIGHTING: Former GW players in attendance included Ivan Kosty (2001 Public League MVP), Craig Mullen, Matt Kane, Charlie Ritterson, and the funnyman himself, Anthony Bonsero.
CALLED UP FROM TRIPLE-A: Coach Bilkins invited two players from JV to practice with the team, LHP Chris Phares and RHP Sean Engelbert. JV coach Earl Mathes had another successful season, losing only one contest. One other addition to the team is manager Justin Bush.
EAGLES-VIKINGS, PART 2: Last season, Northeast defeated GW 8-2 in the semis. Seven current players were in the starting lineup in that affair. Northeast: Jeff Barow, Steve Sandberg & Bryan Adamson. Washington: Brian Morgan, Harry Parfitt, Dennis Massott and Ken Radziak.

MAY 22
PUBLIC LEAGUE ROUND OF 16
Washington 10, Prep Charter 0
This was a day Washington High's Harry Parfitt won‘t soon forget. In the afternoon, the senior lefty pitched a 3-hit shutout, as the Eagles defeated Prep Charter 10-0, in their 2003 playoff opener. At night, he received the Public League Baseball Player of the Year Award at the 18th Annual Sports Awards Banquet co-sponsored by the Northeast News Gleaner and the Frankford-Northeast Rotary Club. Parfitt was cited for his importance to Washington’s team, helping them stay in contention, and finishing second to powerful Frankford in Public League Division A.
Against Prep Charter, Parfitt retired the side in order in the first inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Eagles scored five runs, all with two outs against Prep Charter’s ace jr RHP Matthew Brydges. In all fairness to Matthew, he was hurt by three errors (the only errors Prep made all game), as the team appeared a little tight in their first-ever Public League baseball playoff game. Key hits were sr DH/OF Bruce Bauer’s RBI single, a double to right-center by jr 3B Ken Radziak, and a 2-run single by jr 2B Adam Eisman. After running into trouble in the second, Brydges was relieved by freshman Bill McGovern. Bill showed poise and control and yielded just one run in 2.2 innings. "Matthew and Bill have done it all season for us," coach Shawn Magee said. "We played a good game today, but hat’s off to Washington." GW tacked on four runs in that second inning aided by Bauer’s sacrifice fly and a another 2-run hit by Eisman, this time a hustling double to right-center. The rest was up to Parfitt as he earned the win while tossing his 3rd shutout of the season, allowing just three singles. On the season, he is 7-2 with 58 strikeouts in 52 innings, and 8 complete-games.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Adam Eisman continued his torrid play, going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI, 1 run and 1 stolen base. After starting the season 0-for-17, Adam has 12 hits in his last 22 at-bats, bringing his season average to a very respectable .308. His fifth inning leaping grab of a line drive off the bat of jr 2B Steve McCann, was a thing of beauty.
PREP STUFF: Prep Charter coach Shawn Magee was totally proud of his team, owners of a 12-2 record and a second-place finish in Division C. "This season was absolutely amazing," Magee said of his team’s debut in varsity baseball. "Coming into the season, my expectations were high. Going into next season, I’m going to set the bar even higher. I want us to get past the first round of the playoffs." With a team composed entirely of juniors, sophomores and freshmen, Magee and assistant coach Jonathan Groom must be excited! Congratulations to their All-Public selections: jr SS Kevin O’Donnell, jr C Lenny Cavalier, and Matthew Brydges.
GIVE THE HITTING COACH A RAISE!: After 6 games this season, GW hitters were batting a paltry .205. In their last 9 games, they batted a red-hot .397, raising their season team batting average to .329.
ON THE BANQUET CIRCUIT: During his acceptance speech at the banquet, Parfitt thanked three coaches for their guidance: Max Bilkins, Jim O’Hara and Jason Welte. He also acknowledged senior teammates Dennis Massott and Bill Coles, for their support, and thanked his family. He also said thanks to me. Hey Harry - NO, Thank you!!!
HITTING ALL THE RIGHT KEYS: Good luck to Al Piano, GW girls soccer coach, as he prepares for the PL championship game against Central, next Wednesday at Lighthouse Field at 3pm. The defending champions are led by All-Public performer Melissa Gamble, girls soccer player of the year. I might even try to sneak a report of that game into the Ramblings…if Ted will let me!
NEXT UP: Washington will host Olney in a quarterfinal game next Tuesday, May 29. Olney, second place finisher in Division B, defeated Bartram 6-1 in the round of 16.

MAY 20
PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFF PREVIEW
The Public League playoffs are about to get underway, and I wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the top players this past season. Since I did not get to see any of the teams in Divisions B & C, my apologies, this will be just about Division A. Congratulations to those selected as All-Public. However, none of those players would have been successful without the help of their teammates, many of whom were deserving of All-Public honors, as well.
FRANKFORD: Congrats to head coach Bob Peffle and assistant Juan Namnun for keeping their squad focused all season, even though most of their games were blowout wins lasting only five innings. In the few contests they were challenged, Frankford always seemed to come through with timely hits and great pitching, and finished the season at 13-0, their second consecutive undefeated regular season. All-Public: Carlos Rivera (MVP), jr Joe Farina (frontrunner for next season’s MVP), Matt Colon and jr Cory Shaeffer. Randy’s Ramblings Honorable Mention to Adam Hartman (3-year starter) and Howard Sherman. Playoff status: Pioneers are the top-seeded team and will face Rich Yankowitz’ Dobbins team. Barring a major upset, Frankford would meet the Edison vs Roxborough winner. Down the line, the Pioneers could face possibly Lincoln or Central in the semis. Frankford’s last championship: 2000 vs. GAMP.
WASHINGTON: Head coach Max Bilkins did not have a true superstar, as he had in past seasons, yet still managed to secure second place and the second seed in the playoffs, thanks in large part to the veteran leadership of co-captains and All-Public selections, Harry Parfitt and Dennis Massott. Brian Morgan was also All-Public and leads a nice quartet of juniors who return next season. Ramblings Salute to jr Ken Radziak, Bruce Bauer and two-sport athlete Marcus Kennedy. Playoffs: Round of 16 game vs. Division C’s Prep Charter, the winner advances to the quarterfinals against the Bartram/Olney winner.
NORTHEAST: Coach Sam Feldman’s team suffered a major blow early in the season when 3B/RHP Ken Wlodarczyk was lost due to an elbow injury. However, the Vikings pulled together and finished third in the Division. All-Public: Steve Sandberg, and juniors Bryan Adamson and Andrew Lihotz, who dazzled Frankford in a late-season 3-2 loss. Rambling’s Unsung Heroes: jr Joe Cross and soph Chris Steinke. Playoff foe is Division C champion Kensington. The winner faces the GAMP/Mastbaum winner.
CENTRAL: The Lancers finished fourth in an up-and-down season. Bob Barthelmeh’s team also didn’t have a star player, but got it done with contributions from many. Their two hard-fought, close losses to Washington were the difference between fourth and second place. All-Public: Ryan Abrams and juniors Brandon Watson and Craig Baumbach. Ramblings Props to Craig Gould, an all-around unselfish team leader, and jr Ron Daukaus, who takes charge behind the plate, and has a good bat, too!
Lancers against Franklin Learning Center in playoff opener, with winner playing Lincoln/Saul winner.
LINCOLN: First-year coach John Larsen’s team felt they had a lot to prove in their return to Division A. They held their own finishing 7-7. Their two losses to Frankford were close (5-0 & 8-4). All-Public: Shane O’Connor, a leader by example, Michael Hearn and jr Rick Bates. The ’Yo Good Job Award goes to jr Alex Tsafos and righty Devon Wirt, who turned in some gutsy performances on the mound. Playoff opponent is Saul - winner meets Central/FLC survivor.
GAMP: The second season is eagerly anticipated by coach Art Kratchman, who has been to the semis in each of the last 4 seasons, winning it all last year, defeating Northeast, Frankford, Central and Bok. The veteran leadership on this year’s team was provided by the All-Public senior trio of David Scirotto, Anthony Caines and Mario Malatino. Ramblings Special Mention to soph Vinnie Evangelista, jr Paul LaBruna, and the best managing trio in the Pub, Jenny Tran, Jaclyn O’Brien and Jillian Vella. I love the opening round match-up between GAMP and Mastbaum. If this was the NCAA tournament, it would be a great "7-10" game. They Made a Difference Award goes to the GAMP student body, who turned out in impressive numbers during the semifinal and championship games last season at LaSalle. I wonder if any school out there can challenge for that rather distinguished award.
BARTRAM: Only 3 wins this season, but two of them were against Washington & GAMP. Coach Dennis Sheedy had two players named All-Public, Randall Eggleton and jr Andrew Brown. Eggleton was always steady in center, batting third for the Maroon Wave. Special Recognition to jr Gerry Rogers, a 2-year starter and jr righty Jason Mink, who can be a force. Bartram travels to Olney, with the winner playing the Washington/Prep Charter winner.
ROXBOROUGH: Even though they a had a tough season in Division A and will be replaced by Edison next season, the Indians should feel proud that they were on the last team to be coached by Cliff Hubbard, who is getting kicked upstairs shortly as the Philadelphia School District’s Director of Athletics. Good luck, Coach! Andrew Stridiron was an excellent choice for All-Public, showing a lot of heart this season. Good luck also goes to senior leaders Vince Cardona and Chris Johnson, who many years from now can look back and talk about playing with the great Mike Gibbs in their high school career. Ironically, Roxborough’s playoff opponent will be Edison, fresh off their exciting 4-3 division-clinching win against Olney. The lucky winner of that game plays Farina, Rivera, Colon and company - Frankford!

RAMBLINGS SPECIAL PLAYOFF EDITION: GIRLS SOFTBALL
MAY 20
PUBLIC LEAGUE PLAYOFF SOFTBALL
Frankford 8, Washington 6
What a delight to watch perennial rivals Frankford and Washington square off in a playoff battle. While Central and Northeast have dominated this season in the Public League, Jim McCabe’s Pioneers and Steve Stein’s Eagles were primed and ready to go. Frankford prevailed 8-6 and advances to play Central. GW senior righty Erin Farrell and Frankford’s junior righty Jen Quattrone threw complete-games and dominated every inning, except for the third and fourth innings. Washington scored twice in the third, highlighted by All-Public Stacy Slawinski’s RBI single. Frankford countered in the home third, when the Ramblings Player of the Game, Samantha Hrbek, came to bat with the bases loaded. Her 3-run double to right-center cleared the bases, and she scored on April Schmidt’s RBI single. Schmidt was recently selected as All-Public. But the GW Eagles showed a lot of heart and mounted a comeback against Quattrone, who promises to have a great senior season in 2004. Senior 1B Katie McDevitt walked and scored, jr RF Ashley Schnipper was hit by a pitch and scored, and back-to-back RBI singles by soph 3B Sarah Goldstein and Slawinski, provided the Eagles with another lead, 6-4. But Samantha Hrbek made pretend she was Kent Hrbek (former Major League great with the Minnesota Twins), and promptly blasted a 2-run triple to deep-center, giving the Pioneers the lead for good. Samantha finished 3-for-4 on the day with 5 RBI, 2 runs scored and a stolen base. Actually, I was told she is a distant relation to Kent! Very cool! Quattrone held the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way en route to the 8-6 win.
LINE OF THE DAY: When GW was mounting their third inning rally, one of the Eagles shouted "Cheer now, or be in trouble later." I love that line! It was obvious that both teams had fun playing the game, and had fun cheering on their teammates.
PLAYS OF THE DAY: Hrbek would have gone 4-for-4 if not for the alert play of RF Ashley Schnipper. On a sharp single to right in the bottom of the first, Schnipper unleashed a mighty throw to nip Samantha at first base. Ashley also gunned a runner out at second. Frankford’s All-Public SS Stacy Wendowski made a nice over-the-shoulder catch in the fifth inning. She also threw a runner out at home on a force play.
FIRST BASE COACHES, UNOFFICIALLY: The GW players not only had Coach Steve Stein’s assistance, but were also cheered on and given sound softball advice by Barb Thornton, jr Kyle Thornton’s mom, and Lisa Slawinski, Stacy's sister. I'm sure the players are thankful for support like that!
15-OH, OH NO: Frankford coach Jim McCabe: "We lost our first game, 15-0, and I said Oh no, what am I doing here?" "We hit today, and I’m so proud of this team for battling back. They are tough hard-nosed kids who are committed to improvement." McCabe is in his 4th year coaching Frankford, and has coached 30+ years overall.
BAND-AID PLAYER OF THE GAME: GW’s Katie McDevitt was all over the field. She scored from second on a single, beating the throw thanks to a well-crafted slide. But OUCH it’s gotta hurt with those shorts on! She also made a diving stop on an April Schmidt grounder, flipping to sr 2B Alexis Rimer for the out. Katie recorded 8 putouts and 2 assists flawlessly.
SPECIAL MENTION: Frankford’s Heather Cielka had a great game, singling in each of her first three at-bats, and covering a lot of ground in center field.

MAY 15
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 8, Lincoln 4
The George Washington Eagles closed out the regular season portion of their schedule with an 8-4 win at Lincoln, sweeping the season series and clinching second place in Division A. It was an important game for postseason positioning for Lincoln (7-7), and they sent their ace, sr RHP Shane O’Connor, to the mound on just two days rest. O’Connor was fresh off a 5-inning no-hitter vs. Bartram. Washington (9-5) needed a big performance from their starting pitcher, sr RHP Dennis Massott, making only his second start of the season. O’Connor cruised through the first two innings (just 27 pitches), as the Eagles seemed to be overanxious. After a 1-2-3 first, Massott escaped the second inning, allowing only a run while stranding two. He was helped out big-time by sr 1B Harry Parfitt’s defensive gem. With runners on the corners and one out, soph 1B Joe DiGrazio lofted a foul ball down the first base line. Parfitt backpedaled aggressively and made an over the shoulder catch, while racing down a fairly significant slope, to earn the Randy’s Ramblings Defensive Play of the Game award. Sr CF Marcus Kennedy delivered a clutch two-out RBI single in the third, stole second, and came home on jr RF Brian Morgan’s single. Morgan’s heads-up baserunning enabled him to score, as he took second on the throw home, and advanced on a pair of Lincoln errors. GW plated two more runs in the fourth, as O’Connor made a wild throw on Parfitt’s sac bunt enabling jr 3B Ken Radziak to score. Jr 2B Adam Eisman followed with a sac fly, as the Eagles raced out to a 5-1 lead. However, in the home fourth, the Railsplitters got two runs back on three walks and an error, as Massott was running out of gas. With Lincoln’s players and fans suddenly re-energized, O’Connor tossed a 1-2-3 fifth. Massott retired the first two batters in the home fifth, then walked the bases loaded. At that point, with a 5-3 lead, Eagles coach Max Bilkins summoned jr RHP Eric Seidman from the bullpen. Seidman, who had struggled in some of his starts earlier in the season, appeared relaxed and confident, and induced DiGrazio to ground out to Parfitt to end the threat. The Eagles picked up three insurance runs in the seventh on four straight hits. Seidman pitched the final two frames, allowing only one hit and one run, to record his first varsity save, and securing the Eagles the number two seed in the playoffs behind Frankford, which finished the season at 13-0, their second straight undefeated regular season.
REALLY VERY FOUL: Lincoln’s home field has an obscene amount of foul ball territory. Games very easily can turn into a track meet on overthrows and wild pitches.
SMART ALEX: Lincoln jr LF Alex Tsafos had a busy day. With all of the wide-open spaces in the outfield, Alex was able to run down everything hit his way. Offensively, he walked three times and scored twice. Lincoln only collected three hits against Massott and Seidman.
EAGLES ARE OFFENSIVE: Washington collected ten hits on the day, the fifth time in their last seven games reaching double-digits.
YANK vs. YANK: Washington’s first-round playoff foe could have been Dobbins, which is coached by Rich Yankowitz, the dad of Eagles LF Matt Yankowitz. However, Prep Charter defeated Dobbins, and will face Washington in the playoff opener, tentatively scheduled for this Monday.
SAUL BALL: Lincoln’s loss dropped them down to fifth in Division A. Their opening round playoff opponent will be Saul. Saul’s biggest win ever was in the 2000 Public League Playoff Round of 16, when they came out of Division C to beat the top seeded team in Division A, Washington, by a 3-2 score.

MAY 12
PUBLIC LEAGUE
GAMP 10, Washington 4
The defending Public League champion GAMP Pioneers ended their regular season on an up note, defeating Division A rival Washington, 10-4. GAMP becomes the first to team to complete their schedule, quite a feat in one of the worst baseball weather seasons in a long time. The veteran seniors, Anthony Caines, David Scirrotto and Mario Malatino, provide the leadership. But on this day, jr SS Kyle Torriero provided the jump-start. In the top of the second, he laced a 2-out RBI single to give GAMP a 1-0 lead. His next time up in the fourth, with the game tied 2-2, Kyle belted a 2-run double to center scoring jr 2B Paul LaBruna and soph 3B Gabe "Little Roscoe" Natale. Two batters later, after a Malatino double, Scirrotto stroked a 2-run single to right. Anthony Caines’ RBI double to the right-field fence plated Scirrotto, giving the Pioneers a 7-2 lead. Washington bounced back for 2 in the home fourth. Sr SS Steve Kern singled and scored on sr CF Marcus Kennedy’s RBI triple. Jr RF Brian Morgan followed with an RBI single. In the fifth, GAMP closed the scoring on a 3-run homer by Scirrotto, that cleared the Gray Monster in right, giving David 5 RBI for the game. Caines went 5 innings for the win, stranding 10. Malatino, a shoo-in for All-Public, pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief, stranding 3 more. His previous outing was a 9-inning complete game loss to Central.
TANK IS NOT EMPTY: GW soph Marc Tankel once again provided a boost in relief. In 2 scoreless innings, he allowed a single and whiffed 2.
THE SECOND SEASON: GAMP coach Art Kratchman is excited about the postseason. Although his teams have played sub-.500 ball in the regular season, Art has consistently gotten the most out of his squad in the playoffs, reaching the semifinals in each of the last 4 seasons. Semifinal appearances last 4 seasons: GAMP 4, Frankford 3, Central 3, Washington 2, Northeast 2, Lincoln 1, Bartram 1
CATCHING THE BALL: GAMP’s defense has been a concern all season for Kratchman. They have had double-digit error games this season. Against GW, they committed just 2 errors in the 2 games played, both victories.
CLOSING IT OUT: Washington closes the season at Lincoln. GW won earlier in the season, 14-4, as Harry Parfitt and Steve Kern went 3-for-3. Lincoln’s sr 3B Mike Hearn smashed a 3-run homer.

MAY 5
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Frankford 12, Washington 3
The Frankford baseball traveling show rolled into Washington on a dreary, misty day, but came away happy and still undefeated with a 12-3 win, sweeping this series for the second straight year. The Pioneers (10-0) will clinch the Division A regular season championship, also for the second straight year. Frankford’s marquee players each had outstanding games, as usual, but it is the total team effort that makes this team special. Also, the fact that you have 2 dominating starting pitchers doesn’t hurt! Sr RHP Carlos Rivera survived a 3-run first inning on 2 hits and three errors, and then was almost perfect from there. Carlos faced the minimum number of batters over the last 6 innings allowing only a walk to CF Marcus Kennedy (caught trying to steal by sr C Matt Colon), and an infield single by jr 3B Ken Radziak (inning ended in a 6-4-3 DP). Rivera’s final pitching line: 7 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 81 Pitches (29 balls, 52 strikes), 1st pitch strikes to 18 of 28 batters. At the plate, Carlos went 3-for-5 with a single, RBI double and 3-run triple. I’m guessing jr 3B Joe Farina must be batting around .800 this season. After getting 4 singles and a walk, he is 7-for-8 with 2 walks vs. GW this season. Although Matt Colon went 1-for-4, he crushed a ball that would have gone out of most major league parks, only to be caught by Kennedy. Great grab - running, backhanded, full extension by Marcus, the All-Public quarterback/defensive back. Frankford’s jr SS Cory Shaeffer and sr LF Adam Hartman each hit 2-run doubles, turning a close game into another big Pioneer win. Washington (8-4) played Frankford tough both times this season, but you must play mistake-free baseball to beat a great team like the Pioneers. Job well done to coach Bob Peffle and assistant coach Juan Namnun.
SWEET 15: GW’s modest 5-game win streak came to an end, but what a wacky time it was. In the wins against Central, Roxborough, Bartram, Lincoln and Northeast, the Eagles averaged a staggering 15 runs and 15 hits per game. Of course, the now famous, or infamous 24-23 win vs. Northeast helped those totals somewhat. See Ted Silary’s box score at base03NEWashbox.htm
THIS WEEK ON 24: Frankford has now won 24 consecutive regular season games over 2 seasons.
HIG COMES UP BIG: Coach Peffle is rewarding his troops, who play 3 games in 4 days this week. On their off day, they’ll be visiting Camden Yards to watch the Baltimore Orioles host the Detroit Tigers, all courtesy of former Frankford and Temple great Bobby Higginson. For the stats geeks out there, Bobby has played his entire 9-year career with Detroit: .280 AVG, 164 HR, 602 RBI in 1,120 Games. His best season was in 2000 when he hit .300 with 30 HR & 102 RBI.
BIG NEWS COMIN’ SOON: Matt Colon is very close to making his college selection. It will be great to track a Philly guy from "The Pub" as he plays Division-I ball.
GEARING UP FOR THE PLAYOFFS: Washington closes the season at Lincoln (14-4 win on April 29) and vs. GAMP (5-2 loss on April 10). Frankford has Central, Roxborough and home-and-home games vs. Northeast remaining.

MAY 1
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 24, Northeast 23
See Ted’s report on the game and the now legendary boxscore at tedBasetrail03.htm
BY THE NUMBERS:
       6   Lead Changes
       7   Pitching Changes
434   Pitches Thrown: NE-240, GW-194
       2   Pens Used for Keeping Score
       7   Bat Arounds: (NE-4, GW-3) 3 Scoreless half-innings (out of 14)
       0   One-Two-Three Innings
.657   Combined On-Base Pct
4:06   Time of game (started 3:18 pm & ended 7:24 pm)
MARATHON ODDITIES: GW manager Taryn Trachtenberg left the game to attend her birthday celebration dinner at Benny The Bum’s. After a relaxing dinner, she returned to the field and was able to watch the second half of the game………..Players from two GW teams returned on the bus from road wins, were picked up by their parents and got home while this game was just in the 5th inning……………..The Girls High bus for JV softball was an hour late, so they were witnesses, as well……..GW volunteer coach Jason Welte had to leave for work when the score was only in the teens…….A Northeast player had to leave for a doctors appointment.
READY EDDIE: While players on both teams were able to sit for a portion of the game, home plate umpire Eddie Grove stood, or crouched the entire time, and was nicked throughout with foul tips and wild pitches. Eddie’s quip, "Are we havin’ fun yet?"
MEDIA FRENZY: In attendance were the Philadelphia Daily News’ Ted Silary & Mike Kern (Steve’s dad), and The Northeast News Gleaner’s Patrick McNally, along with photographers from both papers.
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: My hand still hurts from keeping score!
INSTANT CLASSIC: Let’s face it - the video of this game will not be going to Cooperstown, however for all of the parents, friends, and especially players, it was a game everybody will remember.

APRIL 29
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 14, Lincoln 4
For the second time this season, sr LHP Harry Parfitt tossed a complete-game win and thumped a home run. In running his record to 5-1, Harry recorded 10 strikeouts and threw first-pitch strikes to 20 of the 29 batters he faced. He was at his best with runners in scoring position, allowing 2 hits in 12 at bats with 7 K’s. His 2nd homer of the season was a solo shot over "The Gray Monster" in right-field. Harry is the first player this season to scale that monster and reach Northeast Avenue. It was Parfitt’s second career homer against Lincoln’s sr RHP Devon Wirt. The first came when both were freshmen on JV three seasons ago. Maybe the adrenaline rush cost Harry on the mound, as he came out and walked three straight batters. After Parfitt picked off a runner and got a clutch strikeout, Lincoln sr 3B Mike Hearn gave the Railsplitters their first lead of the game with a long 3-run homer to left-center. After three innings Lincoln led 3-2 and Wirt had allowed 3 hits on only 33 pitches. However, in the next two innings, he allowed 7 runs on 11 hits (60 pitches), as the Eagles took a commanding 9-4 lead. Doubles by Parfitt and sr SS Steve Kern and a solo home run by jr 3B Ken Radziak were the key blows. GW posted 5 runs in the 6th inning against the Lincoln bullpen and won their fourth straight game.
THE JUNIORS: The 4 starting juniors have been on a tear lately. This quartet has played together since 9th grade, and the dividends are now paying off for coach Max Bilkins. Ken Radziak, RF Brian Morgan, 2B Adam Eisman and 1B Eric Seidman have 30 hits in 47 at bats (.617) over the last 4 games with 32 runs scored and 20 RBI.
MORE MORGAN: Brian Morgan has now hit safely in 8 straight games and is 11-for-14 since moving from leadoff to second in the batting order.
IN DIVISION A TO STAY: Despite playing in the Public League title game two years ago, Lincoln played in Division B last season. Their hard work resulted in a 12-2 record a year ago, and they moved back to Division A replacing Edison. Coach John Larsen has done a fine job in his first year after replacing long-time coach Tony Rantuccio. "We have a good 1-2 punch with our starting pitchers, Shane O’Connor (sr RHP) and Devon Wirt, and our hitters are now getting into a groove," Larsen said. "We’re the only team to stay close to Frankford this year." Frankford’s six non-Lincoln wins are by the combined score of 79-8. Their two wins against Lincoln were by 5-0 and 8-4.
BARTRAM TRIVIA: Here is the obvious answer to the previous report’s trivia question: What former Bartram basketball great has a famous son in the NBA? Joe "Jellybean" Bryant starred at Bartram, then went on to LaSalle and the NBA (including the 76ers). Son Kobe Bryant must be proud!
SCHEDULE QUIRKS: This was the first meeting between Lincoln and Washington this season. They meet again next week. Northeast has the unenviable task of playing their final two games against Frankford. Washington (7-3) hosts Northeast (6-3) in a second place battle in their next game.

APRIL 28
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 17, Bartram 5
The hour-long bus trip to Southwest Philly was worthwhile as the George Washington Eagles flew past Bartram, 17-5, in a 5-inning game. In winning their third straight game, the Eagles improved to 6-3, and are in second place, 2 games behind unbeaten division leader Frankford. GW turned in another total team effort. Sr RHP/LF Dennis Massott earned the complete-game win in his first start of the season, striking out 7 (4 of them looking). He also stroked his 4th double of the season. Jr RF Brian Morgan went 4-for-4 for the second straight game and jr 2B Adam Eisman smashed a 2-run homer, clearing the 40-foot high Bartram right-field fence, and scored 4 runs. For Bartram, jr RHP Jason Mink left after 4 innings, trailing 10-3, but he had absolutely no defensive support, as the Maroon Wave committed 7 errors. Mink was the winning pitcher against GW earlier this season in an 8-strikeout performance. Sr CF Randall Eggleton went 2-for-3 with an RBI double, and should merit some All-Public consideration.
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT: Adam Eisman’s HR went an estimated 325 feet. His previous hit, a bunt double, went 3 feet!
MORE MORGAN: Brian Morgan’s first 6 games: 6-for-20 (.300). His last 3 games: 10-for-10 (1.000). Season: 16-for-30 (.533).
HE WANTS TO BE LIKE BRIAN: Jr 3B Ken Radziak has a little streak of his own. He’s been on base in each of his last 8 plate appearances with 3 singles, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 HBP, and also earned the Randy’s Ramblings Play of the Game Award. After doubling in the third, Ken went to steal third and the catcher’s throw came oh-so-close to hitting him in that most sensitive of areas. As the errant throw ricocheted into left-field, Ken stopped and said "Ouch!" and then turned around and raced home with the Eagles 4th run on the day. The Eagles never looked back.
BARTRAM BITS: Head coach Dennis Sheedy has a nice nucleus of juniors in the lineup: leadoff batter/SS Andrew Brown is a great contact hitter, catcher A.J. Gramlick is a hard-nose player with a quick bat and RHP Jason Mink will only continue to improve.
BARTRAM TRIVIA: Obviously, this question is layup: What former Bartram basketball great has a famous son in the NBA? Check out the next game report (vs Lincoln) for this obvious answer.
HOME, SWEET, HOME: The Eagles play 4 of their remaining 5 games at home. They are 4-2 on the road, with only a trip to Lincoln (May 8) left.
I-ROD, WATCH OUT: GW sr c Billy Coles threw out 3 runners on the day: 2 would-be base stealers and a player trying to advance on an outfield throw.

APRIL 24
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 22, Roxborough 6
Washington kicked off the second half of 2003 with a 22-6 win over Roxborough. Junior Ken Radziak smashed a double and triple in the first inning as the Eagles erupted for 11 runs, sending 16 players to the plate. Jr RF Brian Morgan went 4 for 4 on the day, and is now 6 for his last 6, with 2 walks and a sac bunt, over the last 2 games. Soph RHP Marc Tankel came on in relief and was outstanding, striking out 4 of the first 5 batters he faced en route to his first varsity win. Washington (5-3) pounded out a season-high 15 hits. Roxborough scored 5 runs in the first 2 innings. In their previous 2 innings vs. Bartram on Tuesday, the Indians scored 15 runs on the way to their first win of the season. Roxborough is now 1-6 and will need a couple of wins in the second half to avoid dropping down to Division B next season. The Indians’ 3 hits against 3 Eagles hurlers: a pair of singles by sr CF Chris Johnson and a double by sr SS Vince Cardona.
EASY ON THE EIS: Although he has hit the ball hard and far this season, jr 2B Adam Eisman didn’t have much to show for it, statistically speaking. He finally got on the board with a second inning double, that was neither hard, nor far! It was your basic hustle double…on an almost infield single…a bunt! At least he didn't have to get heckled later that night at his junior prom about being hitless. Adam has been solid defensively at second base, and made the flashiest play of the season, fielding a grounder in the hole and flicking the ball from his gloved hand to a leaping jr 1B Eric Seidman to end a rally earlier in the season.
CALLING UP THE RESERVES: The reserve players who always work hard in practice contributed big time: soph LF Matt Yankowitz went 1 for 2 with 3 runs, 1 RBI and made a great sliding catch of a flyball off the bat of Roxborough’s sr LF Terrell Ford, soph 3B Justin Presley singled and scored, sr 2B Scott Haze walked and scored, and Marc Tankel pitched 3 2/3 innings of 1-run relief, singled, walked and knocked in two. The backup catchers, soph Matt Peterson and sr Mike Marcelline also contributed.
REPORT CARD BLUES: Several Public League players, many of them key performers, were ruled academically ineligible last week when report cards came out. The school district, the coaches, the teachers, and the parents all hope these student-athletes get the message loud and clear - if you want to play ball, you have to do the work!
CLIFF HUBBARD, THE DIRECTOR: It won’t be Cliff Hubbard, The Coach much longer. Roxborough’s long-time coach and athletic director will become the Philadelphia School District’s Director of Athletics, after the baseball season. One of his assistants will be GW football coach Ron Cohen, who will continue his duties with the Eagles.
MICHAEL GIBBS UPDATE: Michael Gibbs, the 3-time All-Public Roxborough sensation is a freshman at Chipola Junior College in Florida. His pitching totals as of April 22: 11 games (all in relief), 1-1, 4.80 ERA, 1 save, 15 IP, 9 H, 13 BB, 18 K. Gibbs was drafted by Montreal in the June 2002 baseball draft. To follow Mike, here is the website http://www.chipola.cc.fl.us/extrac/athl/baseball/baseballhomepage.htm

APRIL 22
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 8, Central 6
Central & Washington both had their aces going. The Lancers’ jr RHP Craig Gould and the Eagles’ sr LHP Harry Parfitt squared off as Central held a 1-0 lead after 3 on sr CF Eric Heisler’s scorching double down the left-field line. Gould was mixing speeds nicely and had the Eagles off-balance, recording 4 strikeouts in the first 3 innings. Parfitt also was effective, throwing only 33 pitches through 3. After that, the offenses started to kick in…finally! Washington had beaten Central earlier in a 3-2 8-inning affair. The Eagles plated 3 runs in the 4th, 2 more in the 6th, and 3 in the 7th to take an 8-3 lead. Key contributors were jr RF Brian Morgan, 2-2, 2 runs, walk, sac, double and sr DH Bruce Bauer who went 2-4, run, 2 RBI, and a monster double off of the center field concrete wall.
The Lancers fought back with a vengeance. Down 5-1 in the 6th, sr SS Ryan Abrams drove in Gould with a sac fly and jr Kurt Haberle scored on a throwing error to make it 5-3. Down 8-3 in the 7th, the Lancers loaded the bases with no outs. Three runs came in on another error making the final score 8-6, and allowing GW coach Max Bilkins to escape with the road win.
WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, MIKE KANE?: If Washington’s field is famous for "The Grey Monster" in right field, then Central’s right field is notable because of "The Concrete Monster." There aren’t many fields with a mixture of grass and concrete in right field!! Last season, Central’s RF Mike Kane made a diving catch on the cement, and this year it was GW’s Brian Morgan who made 2 running catches in deep right near that same cement.
YO SEIDBURNS: Jr 1B Eric "Seidburns" Seidman had quite an eventful game. Offensively he went 2-4 with 2 RBI. Defensively, he got an assist on a 5-3-6 DP and made a couple of nice scoops on short throws from his infielders. The most notable scoop came with 2 on and 2 out in the last inning. Central had the tying rally going when jr LF Brandon Watson grounded a 1-2 pitch to jr 2B Adam Eisman. The sure-handed Eisman fielded the ball cleanly but short-armed the ball to Seidman, who successfully scooped the ball for the final out. Central surely would have tied the game on the errant toss, and with the momentum probably would have won the game, which would have been demoralizing for Washington, considering they had an 8-3 lead entering the inning.
SECOND ANNUAL FALLING DOWN AT CENTRAL AWARD: The winner of this prestigious award (also known as The Billy Coles Award) goes to the above-mentioned Seidman. After hitting a sharp RBI single to right-center, Seidman was chugging towards first when he slipped and tasted the dirt of Central’s field. After he got up and reached first, he smiled to his teammates who were falling off the bench in hysterics. Honorable mention goes to sr 2B Scott Haze, who would have scored a run if not slipping 15 feet from home plate. Of course, this award was initiated by sr C Billy Coles, who fell last year and may have muttered "I meant to do that!"

APRIL 10
PUBLIC LEAGUE
GAMP 5, Washington 2
In a battle of two of the best lefties in the Public League, GAMP’s Mario Malatino outdueled Washington’s Harry Parfitt in a 5-2 win at 7th & Packer. Malatino struck out a career-high 15 batters, recording 8 in the final 3 innings. The only runs Parfitt allowed came in the bottom of 3rd when the Pioneers broke through for 5 runs, as 6 of the first 7 batters reached base. GAMP highlights: sr SS Anthony Caines’ perfectly executed suicide squeeze (on a 1-1 count) scoring jr 2B Kyle Torriero, RBI single by 3-hole hitter sr LF David Scirotto and sac fly by so 1B Vinnie Evangelista. Parfitt’s line: 6 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 4 K on a very economical 91 pitches. These senior lefthanders are bound to match up against each other later in the season (May 12 at GW), or the playoffs. Malatino had the Eagles off-balance and guessing all game. 15 K’s inning-by-inning: 1st-4 (dropped 3rd strike), 2nd-1, 3rd-1, 4th-1, 5th-2, 6th-3, 7th-3. Mario stranded 6 runners, allowed 3 hits (singles by jr RF Brian Morgan, so SS Marc Tankel & jr 1B Eric Seidman) and walked 4 on a robust 129 pitches (52 balls, 77 strikes). After falling behind 5-0, Washington (3-3) scored a pair of runs in the 4th on no hits: Seidman’s bases-loaded HBP and sr CF Marcus Kennedy’s groundout brought in the only runs the Eagles would muster against GAMP (3-2), the Public League defending champions.
RAIN GO AWAY: 7 games were postponed in Division A this week. At least GW leads the league in one category: games played (6). All of the make-up games in the latter half of the season will surely test Public League pitching staffs.
Division A thru 4/10
FRANKFORD 4-0 record (3 rainouts), NORTHEAST 2-1 (4), GAMP 3-2 (2), WASHINGTON 3-3 (1), LINCOLN 2-2 (3), CENTRAL 2-2 (3), BARTRAM 2-3 (2), ROXBOROUGH 0-5 (2)
KIDS ’R’ US: GAMP coach Art Kratchman: "We’re very young. We just have to catch the ball and we’ll be fine. We’re always young, there is no JV team." Roster breakdown: 3 seniors, 4 juniors, 4 sophs, 3 freshmen. The ever-boisterous Caines (who also pitches) is trying to anchor a very young infield.
MORE MARIO: OK, I’ve resisted long enough. I had to use the phrase "Super Mario" somewhere in this Rambling. Pro athletes named Mario: Mario Lemieux, Mario Andretti, Mario Tremblay……e-mail me at chynotes@aol.com with more Mario and I’ll get it posted.
PRESIDENT’S GAME BLIZZARD: Well, not a blizzard, but the Washington-Lincoln game was snowed out on Monday, April 7 and has been rescheduled for Tues., April 22 at GW.

APRIL 4
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 3, Central 2 (8 innings)
The Eagles improved to 3-2, behind a complete game by sr LHP Harry Parfitt, and a gutsy performance by two GW seniors, catcher Billy Coles and LF Dennis Massott. Parfitt finally allowed a run this season, but for the third straight start, kept his team in a position to win the game. He stranded 9 Central base runners, 5 of them in scoring position. Massott got plucked in the pinky finger while batting early in the contest, and it looked ugly. Although hurting, Dennis had it taped up, went out and played his usual hardnosed brand of ball. He almost won the game in the bottom of the 7th for the host Eagles with a shot off of the right field fence, which from now on will be known as "The Gray Monster." Coles, who has steadily improved at a very demanding position this season, continues to work hard and hustle. He nailed a would-be base stealer in the crucial 8th inning. Billy can be heard all game long talking it up, and urging his teammates on.
READY MICOLETTI: Sr OF Jim Micoletti did not get into the game until the bottom of the 8th. After sitting around all game in windy, raw weather, Jim entered as a pinch runner, and raced home with the winning run after jr 3B Ken Radziak’s beautiful sacrifice bunt was thrown away.
BABA BOOEY, BABA BOOEY: The bases umpire for the game was Randy Goldstein. Yes, the same Randy Goldstein who has appeared numerous times on Howard Stern’s radio show…as a Star Trek expert!
BAUER POWER: Sr LF and clean-up hitter Bruce Bauer went 2-3 including a booming RBI double that put GW ahead 2-1 early in the game.
CENTRAL CASTING: Central graduates from last season on area college rosters include LHP Noah White, OF Steve Hopkins and C Ryan Meyer. White is 1-0, 1.65 ERA in 6 appearances for Ursinus. His win was a 2-hit shutout in his first collegiate start. Hopkins is a reserve for Arcadia University, and Meyer comes off the bench for Philadelphia University.
PRESIDENTIAL REVENGE: Next game: Washington vs. Lincoln. The last time these two met was in the 2001 quarterfinals, when Lincoln’s RHP Ron Clarkson prevented the Eagles from advancing to the semis.

APRIL 3
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Frankford 13, Washington 3
   Frankford continued to roll in Division A, posting a 13-3 win against visiting Washington, behind jr RHP Joe Farina and sr catcher Matt Colon. On the mound, Farina threw a 6-inning complete game, giving up 4 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. Batting third, he hit the ball hard every time up, going for 3-for-4. However, the offensive display this day was provided by Colon, who went 3-for-5, with a pair of doubles, a 3-run homer and 6 RBI. Frankford’s win stretches their regular season winning streak to 17 games over the last 2 seasons.
TED SIGHTING: Yes indeed, the real legend, Ted Silary, was in attendance, choosing this game as his season opener. Check out his take on the game at   www.tedsilary.com/tedBasetrail03.htm.
LEADIN’ IT OFF:   GW’s jr OF Brian Morgan collected his second straight multi-hit game. Last season as the everyday leadoff hitter, Brian hit .480
GOING FOR THE TRIFECTA:   Joe Farina is attempting to pull off an unprecedented accomplishment in "The Pub". (At least I think it’s unprecedented - let me know if I’m mistaken!). He was the middle linebacker as Frankford ended Washington’s 2-year reign as Public League football champions. He then led the Pioneers to their 7th straight wrestling title, and now is hoping to lead his team to the baseball championship.
GETTING CRAMPS THINKING ABOUT GAMP:   "We’re very motivated to win it all this year. Kids at school were really getting on us last year. We don’t talk about it a lot to the younger guys," Farina said of the last season’s semifinal upset loss to GAMP. Frankford was unbeaten in league play heading into that game at LaSalle.
HEY MOM, WASH THE UNIFORM: The Eagles have less than 24 hours to regroup before they host Central, in a re-scheduled game that was washed out on March 20.

MARCH 31
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 7, Northeast 0
The George Washington Eagles won their second road game of the season shutting out perennial rival Northeast 7-0. Sr LHP Harry Parfitt went the distance allowing 8 hits (7 singles), fanning 5 (3 of them looking), while allowing only 1 walk. In his 2 games this season, Harry has walked just 1 batter and has allowed even fewer runs…0! Of course, baseball is a team sport, and there were many contributors both on offense and defense, but the Ramblings Key Play of The Game was provided by sr SS Steve Kern in the bottom of the third. The Eagles were ahead 2-0, and Northeast had runners at second and third, 1 out, with soph 2B Chris Steinke batting and 3-hole hitter sr 1B Steve Sandberg on deck. Parfitt jammed Steinke, who wristed the ball softly over jr 3B Ken Radziak’s head. The always alert Kern, who was positioned perfectly, picked the ball up right away, made the grab and trotted to third for the unassisted double play. Sparked by that play, the Eagles then scored 3 runs on 5 singles in the fourth and scored solo runs in the sixth and seventh to close out the scoring.
VIKINGS DL: Northeast coach Sam Feldman was shaken at receiving the news before the game that he will be without the services of 3B/RHP Ken Wlodarczyk this season. The 6-7, 235-pounder was being counted on to help the Vikings reach the Public League championship game again, but he is sidelined with ligament damage in his elbow and will be operated on within the next week. Tough way to end his senior season, but Ken is confident of bouncing back next season, possibly at Penn State-Abington.
PEP TALK: Last season’s team leader, motivational yeller, and All-Public left fielder was Jason Welte. He graduated and now attends Temple, and has become an unofficial graduate assistant to coach Max Bilkins. It appears that he has been succeeded by All-Public sr 3B/LF Dennis Massott. More than once, Massott assembled the troops, and got them fired up. Every team needs that! The Eagles were talking it up all game. That wasn’t easy considering the low-30s chill in the air, but the entire team, most notably the group of sophomores, kept the chatter loud and constant. GOOD STUFF!

MARCH 27
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Bartram 11, Washington 3
Since moving up to Division A two seasons ago, Bartram has not looked forward to playing Washington. The Maroon Wave suffered through 5 straight losses, including a one-run defeat in last season’s quarterfinals. However, the combination of Jason Mink’s pitching and Chironn "Goober" Davis’ hitting led Bartram to an 11-3 victory, evening both team’s records at 1-1 this season. After getting shutout by Frankford 10-0 in their season opener, Bartram bounced back with this big road win. Mink, the junior right-hander, stifled the Eagles, allowing 6 hits, recording 8 strikeouts, while stranding 9 base runners. "There was pressure on us after losing to Frankford," Mink said. "It was not a good thing and we wanted to put it behind us." Mink was shaky in the first two innings, throwing 53 pitches. But he was able to get out of a bases-loaded, no-out situation, then settled down in the middle innings relying on a fastball in the low 80s, and a breaking ball that was hitting the corners for strikes. While Mink was getting in a groove, Davis was igniting the offense out of the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with 3 doubles. "Whenever we play Washington, they are always organized and have dominated us," Goober said. "After being one-hit by Frankford (Carlos Rivera), we needed this."
Washington jr RHP Eric Seidman, in his first varsity start, was trailing 2-1 and appeared to get out of the 4th inning before an infield error gave Bartram new life. Senior RF Marvin Snipes and Davis then followed with RBI hits extending the lead to 5-1. The Maroon Wave tacked on 6 more runs (4 earned) against Eagles relievers, while Mink shut GW down, allowing only solo runs in the last two innings on soph C Matt Peterson’s RBI double and soph 3B Justin Presley’s sacrifice fly.
GRIDIRON CONNECTION: Washington sr OF Marcus Kennedy (Eagles QB/DB) was not the only big-time football player in this game. Bartram had 4 notables in their starting lineup: Goober Davis rushed for 724 yards and 11 TDs, Marvin Snipes rushed for 680 yards and was a 1st Team All-Public linebacker, sr 1B Richard Mink was a 1st Team All-Pub offensive lineman, and sr CF Randall Eggleton, who tripled off the right field fence, was an honorable mention wide receiver.
THREESPOT NEXT WEEK: Both teams play 3 games next week as Bartram plays GAMP, Central and Roxborough, while GW visits Northeast and Frankford and hosts Central.

MARCH 24
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 14, Roxborough 0
   The George Washington Eagles opened their 2003 regular season with a 14-0 win at Roxborough, as senior LHP Harry Parfitt dominated on the mound and at the plate. Parfitt tossed a 5-inning no-hitter with no walks and 11 strikeouts, and led the offense with a grand slam and 6 RBI.
   The slam was a 325-foot blast over the right-field fence and helped stake Washington to 6-0 lead in the first inning against a Roxborough team now playing without Michael Gibbs, the 3-time All-Public star who graduated. The Eagles took full advantage of opening day wildness by Roxborough’s senior LHP Andrew Stridiron, collecting 19 free passes on 15 walks and 4 hit batsmen. Eagles coach Max Bilkins had his team running as they totaled 7 stolen bases. Senior ss Steve Kern had a solid day with an RBI double, 3 runs and 3 steals. Washington had the very unusual final totals of 14 runs…on 4 hits!!!
   On the mound, Parfitt was in total command, striking out 6 of the first 7 batters faced. The only 2 Indians base runners reached on error in the 4th with no outs, but Parfitt escaped by whiffing Stridiron and clean-up hitter Rich Lewis, and getting a flyout as sr OF Marcus Kennedy made the putout. That’s the same Marcus Kennedy that quarterbacked the Eagles to the Public League football championship game the last 2 seasons.
   Coach Bilkins lost 5 starters from last year’s team: C/P Rob Ritterson, LF Jason Welte, CF Matt Kane, 2B Donny Rowley and SS Abdiel Sanchez. That team finished in 2nd place to regular season champion Frankford, and lost in the semifinals to Northeast. This year’s team consists of 9 seniors including Parfitt and 2nd team All-Public 3B Dennis Massott, along with 4 juniors and 5 sophomores.
Roxborough Scrapbook: Michael Gibbs attends Chipola Junior College in Florida. His pitching totals as of March 21: 7 games (all in relief), 1-1, 3.55 ERA, 1 save, 12.2 IP, 8 H, 9 BB, 16 K. Gibbs was drafted by Montreal in the June 2002 baseball draft.