Hit performance

There’s a good reason Anna Baccari is the GAMP softball team’s leadoff hitter.

Sure, she’s batting .455., but more important is how seriously she takes her role. The senior, of the 1200 block of Alder Street, even scouts the opposing pitcher to get an idea of what she’s up against.

By the time the game begins, Baccari is ready to deliver.

Her leadership — and leadoff success — helped the Girard Academic Music Program advance to yesterday’s Public League quarterfinal game against Frankford, which started after press time.

Last year, GAMP set a school record with nine Gold Division wins, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

"Being a senior and the leadoff hitter, I want to set a pace for the game," the 17-year-old said after last Thursday’s 23-5 opening-round playoff trouncing of Franklin Towne Charter.

Last Thursday, Baccari played a key role in the Girard Academic Music Program’s 21-run first inning by walking twice, recording an RBI single and scoring two runs. It’s not often a hitter gets two at-bats, let alone three, in one inning.

"Coming into the game, I didn’t know what to expect," Baccari said.

Coach Frank Cipparone has always relied on his seniors to set the tone on the field. This year Baccari is the only senior, but her contributions make up for it, the coach said.

"She understands the little things you need to do," he said.

And sometimes, those things go beyond hitting.

"I try to always have a positive attitude no matter what team we’re playing," the outfielder noted.

The upbeat attitude seems to be paying off. The Pioneers finished fourth in the Public League’s Gold Division with a 7-8 record, securing home-field advantage through the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Baccari is accustomed to leading a team. She co-captains the GAMP cheerleading squad with twin sister Alexandria. The girls placed fourth in the citywide cheerleading competition earlier this year.

Even Baccari’s boyfriend is an athletic success. Michael Brino was the Pioneers’ leading basketball scorer during the 2004 season, and became just the fourth player in GAMP history to reach 1,000 career points.

"I was very pleased," Baccari said. "I always want to see him do well."

Now the softball player, an All-Public Honorable Mention selection as a sophomore who grew up playing for St. Nicholas of Tolentine, is giving Brino reason to cheer.

Baccari also channels her athleticism into dancing; she’s been at it since age 4.

At this year’s GAMP talent show, she choreographed her moves to Usher’s hit song Yeah!

"I play it all the time," said Baccari, who is also involved with the school choir. "I can’t wait for the talent show to be over so I don’t have to hear the song any more."

But she surely will be dancing for joy if the Pioneers clinched yesterday’s game to make their first trip to the Public League semifinals.

GAMP already has proven it can at least be competitive against the Public League’s best. In a regular-season loss against Central, the local squad was trailing by only one run in the bottom of the sixth inning, and a game against second-place Northeast was decided in the bottom of the seventh.

Even though the Pioneers lost both contests, Baccari liked her team’s chances heading into yesterday’s quarterfinal.

"If we put our heads and hearts in the game and give it 150 percent, I think we can beat any team we play," said the All-Public nominee.

This season will likely mark the end of Baccari’s playing days, as she’s heading to La Salle University to major in nursing. Her older brother Steven is majoring in the same program. The player does hold out the possibility of trying out as a walk-on.

Cipparone said Baccari will be missed on the GAMP team.

"It seems like every year I have a senior that means a lot to the team," the coach said. "She brings a sense of unity and purpose to the girls."