Earning an A in their class

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For some, the 2009 high school baseball season ended this month. For others, May and June are the prime motivators for the year-round effort.

Girard Academic Music Program, 22nd and Ritner streets, is one of those schools that expects to be part of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state baseball picture every spring. This season is no exception thanks to Friday’s 5-4 victory over Masterman in the Public League District 12 Class A championship game.

Senior outfielder Ronnie Melandro knows all about the Pioneers winning ways with a fourth straight trip to states lurking ahead. The location and opponent are to be determined.

"We can win a championship and go far in the state playoffs," the resident of the 2400 block of Juniper Street said.

But the leader’s positive outlook wasn’t enough to help his team get past Washington in Monday’s quarterfinal action, as his Pioneers lost 9-7. Sophomore Dom Raia did his part to keep things close by going 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. The pitcher is delivering a solid effort this postseason, especially in Friday’s victory where his team rebounded from a slow start. Masterman had nine runners reach base over the first three innings. The visitors opened with a run in the top of the first, but the Pioneers answered with a three-spot in the bottom half of the second, highlighted by a suicide squeeze.

The opposition didn’t go down without a fight, as it tied things up with a two-run homer in the top of the third. The scenario put more stress on coach Art Kratchman, Raia and the rest of the squad to refocus. Junior Joe Coppola yelled, "We need to play some defense" to his teammates at the top of the fourth.

GAMP got back on track by limiting Masterman to one run over the final four innings. Raia went 2-for-2 at the plate with a double and a walk. Senior catcher Eugene Aversa added three hits, including a double. Freshman outfielder Tyler Criniti chipped in a two-run single.

"We’re a decent hitting team. We try to put the ball in play and make the defense work," Kratchman said.