Frankford repeats in Public League

Frankford didn't take a ho-hum approach to capturing its second straight Public League baseball championship.

The players mobbed winning pitcher Rafael "Omar" Cruz after the final out, coach Juan Namnun received a watercooler dousing, and outfielder Hector Cerda, with trophy in tow, joyfully circled the bases.

"Each title is special and unique in its own way," said Namnun, who has guided the squad to three crowns in five seasons. "This group is one of my favorites, probably because a lot of the seniors have been on the team for four years."

With Friday's 8-3 romp over GAMP at Richie Ashburn Field, Frankford gained top Public League honors for the seventh time in the last 10 seasons.

Despite easily beating GAMP twice during the regular season, Frankford arrived in South Philly with a businesslike approach.

"We couldn't afford to be overconfident," Cruz said. "In a one-game situation, you never know what can happen. We knew they were going to put everything into the game, and we had to do the same."

GAMP took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After a one-out walk to Joe Brinkman, Desmond Drummond sent an 0-2 pitch from Cruz over the fence in right-center field.

"Desmond is an exceptional hitter," Namnun said. "Omar left one up in the zone, and he climbed the ladder and hit it about 385 feet."

Frankford responded with three runs in the bottom of the first. Cerda knocked in a run with a double to right-center, and junior first baseman Kevin Montero stroked a two-run single to center.

In the fourth, with the help of an error, Frankford (18-4) loaded the bases. Jumping on a 2-2 pitch from Drummond, Augusto "June" Ortega ripped a three-run double to right-center. He was called out, on an appeal, trying to reach third.

"It was a curveball on the outside part of the plate," said Ortega, a senior centerfielder. "I wasn't looking to pull the ball. I just stayed with the pitch and took it the other way."

From the leadoff spot, Ortega has been a consistent table-setter. The 5-foot-9, 145-pounder is likely headed to Salem Community College in Carneys Point, N.J.

"He's the league's most valuable player for a reason," GAMP coach Art Kratchman said. "We haven't figured a way to get him out all year long."

Frankford will play in the District 12 Class AAAA final against La Salle next Thursday at Ashburn. On June 4, GAMP (14-11) will face the District 1 titlist, Bristol or Calvary Christian, in the first round of the Class A state tournament.

GAMP   2000010 - 344

Frankford   300320x - 870

WP: Rafael Cruz. LP: Desmond Drummond. 2B: F-Hector Cerda, Augusto Ortega. HR: G-Drummond.