Criniti cleans up for GAMP

It's doubtful Tyler Criniti will forget his first stint as a cleanup hitter.

Mostly for what happened, naturally, but also for the circumstances that caused a 2-day delay.

Criniti, a 5-10, 190-pound junior, is the rightfielder for Girard Academic Music Program's baseball team and yesterday he experienced all kinds of fun as the visiting Pioneers topped Esperanza Academy, 18-8, in a six-inning Public A game at Front and Erie.

Monday, not by choice, he was a no-show for a loss to Northeast.

"That was going to be my first time in the No. 4 hole, but it didn't work out," Criniti said. "I had to miss the game because they said I cut a class. I tried to convince them I was in the bathroom, dealing with being sick, but . . .

"I was upset with how it went down. But I'm past it now. Especially with this."

A lefty swinger, Criniti went 3-for-4 with a walk and five RBI. He got one run home with a fielder's choice. Two more with a triple to dead, way-out-there center. Two more with another shot to center; this one a single. And in the fifth, he almost notched a sixth RBI when his inside-outed ground ball took a wicked hop past the third baseman. Alas, leftfielder Victor Nunez uncorked a strong throw and catcher Ralphy Ramos made an impressive snag-and-tag play on winning pitcher Dom Raia.

"Shame we didn't get that run," Criniti said. "It could have meant a five-inning game, and kept Dom from having to throw more pitches."

As it was, this messy affair lasted 2 hours, 43 minutes, and the first three innings required 118 minutes. GAMP, which led in total hits, 16-10, and trailed in total errors, 8-6, batted around in each of those frames (plus one more guy in the second) while ringing up 13 runs.

"That was a crazy game," Criniti said. "It's a little tough when it drags on so long, especially on a cold day [there was also a very short spell of early drizzle], but it's nice getting all those at-bats."

Not surprisingly, Criniti's favorite moment was the triple, which came in the five-run third.

"It was pretty cool just hitting the ball that far," he said. "But then to get to third and hear everybody screaming, 'Tyrope! . . . Tyrope!' . . . That was even better."

The momentary nickname is part of a new team tradition, as started by sub John Hakun. Each time a Pioneer hits a bullet, his name becomes all or part of his real name with rope attached at the end.

"Joeyrope, Domrope, Salrope; they all sound good," Criniti insisted.

A teammate was standing nearby.

"Tyrope! That's his name! That's the best one!" the kid crowed.

In his previous two outings, Criniti had gone 2-for-8.

"I wasn't swinging that great, honestly," he said. "But Desmond Drummond was struggling at cleanup - it was good to see him do great today [at No. 7] - and 'Kratch' [coach Art Kratchman] was going to move me for that Northeast game.

"I still feel bad about missing that one. If I'm playing, maybe we win. Today I just wanted to have good at-bats and that was what happened. I hit some hard balls. With Dom right in front of me, there's always the opportunity to drive in runs because he always gets on. After a game like this, I feel like I'm going to turn it up."

Raia joined Criniti in the Three-Hit Club (one RBI) while Anthony Retallick, Sal Giafaglione, Joe Garofalo and Drummond collected two safeties apiece. Drummond cracked a two-run double to center in the first, lost by GAMP, 7-4, and that ball likely traveled farther than Criniti's.

Raia pitched six full innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out 10.

Did you read that last sentence and mutter, "Wait, what the heck's goin' on here? How'd he go the distance in a 18-8 game and surrender just one run?"

Answer: Freshman Jacob Kurtz started for GAMP, but was yanked after yielding seven hits and a walk while failing to get an out. Raia, who's bound for Chestnut Hill College, moved to the mound from shortstop. A whiff, fielder's choice and successful pickoff-rundown (though a run scored right before the tag) ended the inning.

For the Toros, Mike Perez went 3-for-4 with one RBI, Nunez smacked a two-run single and Felix Torraca-Dedos turned two hits into one RBI.

Like everyone who attends GAMP, Criniti, who lives near 12th and McKean, is required to at least give music a whirl. The baritone's involvement is limited to choir thrice a week.

"I'm not musically inclined at all," he said, laughing. "I know nothing about music."

Batting cleanup? Now you're singin' his song.