Taking center stage

Dana DePasquale has no dreams of becoming the next American Idol, despite that she attends Girard Academic Music Program.

"I am going to a singing school, and I am not good at it," said the 18-year-old senior, who is a member of the school choir (all GAMP requires of the less musically inclined). "As long as I have a bunch of people around me, I am fine."

But the Pioneers starting center fielder doesn’t mind singing off-key melodies on the softball field. When GAMP builds one of its double-digit leads – as the team has in every win this season – things can get a little dull, and a questionably carried tune helps break the monotony.

That’s not to say that DePasquale, of Ninth and Morris streets, has any problem with the popping sound of the softball hitting her aluminum bat. It’s a steady beat at GAMP softball games, where the Pioneers have scored 11 runs or more in all seven of their victories. On Monday, the team closed out the regular season with a 15-0 victory over Saul to finish with a 7-3 record. The star of the game was senior pitcher Angelica Malatino, who tossed her third no-hitter of the season. GAMP will open the playoffs today with a home game against Swenson.

The Pioneers are regulars in the playoffs, but the program has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

"I am hoping to get past the quarterfinals." said DePasquale, who will attend Saint Joseph’s in the fall. "We always seem to lose that last game."

This year, the playoff format has changed somewhat to conform to Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association rules. Membership entitles Public League teams to qualify for state tournament competition.

GAMP is classified as an A team and will play up to the AA level, reaching the state tournament if it wins its first- and second-round playoff games.

AS CO-CAPTAIN, A role DePasquale shares with senior teammates Malatino and catcher Kendell Nealis, she is leading the push for postseason success. DePasquale helps out by leading pre-game exercises and announcing the Pioneers’ batting order. On Tuesday, DePasquale was named GAMP’s female scholar-athlete of the year for her dedication to both her squad and her grades.

"She is like a second coach in the outfield," said coach Jann Hoetzel, who also coached DePasquale during the fall tennis season.

The player also has come up big at the plate, especially April 6 in a 19-0 shutout against Dobbins, in which she delivered two home runs. In last Wednesday’s 11-1 win over Washington, DePasquale contributed an RBI single and scored two runs.

When the Pioneers struggle, as they did in losses to Girls High, Lincoln and Central, DePasquale tries to keep everyone upbeat. But truth be told, the athlete doesn’t mind those tough outings.

"I would rather the game be challenging," she said.

If Malatino is faltering on the mound, DePasquale is the first to shout words of encouragement. That was a lot easier to do when she was a catcher, but no matter: DePasquale doesn’t mind yelling out her moral support.

Winning is only a small part of the GAMP experience, as DePasquale has developed strong friendships during her three years on the team.

"This is like my family," the honor student said of her teammates. "I love going to school with them. We are so close."

Then there is junior Dana Anello.

"My third baseman gives me trouble," DePasquale said with a laugh.

The teammates were doubles partners during the fall tennis season, which was GAMP’s first as a girls’ squad. The duo picked up GAMP’s lone win in a match against Central. But the pressure of being rookies led to some arguments during games.

"She was always wrong," DePasquale said of Anello. Former coach Frank Cipparone, who retired after the 2004 season, suggested the players give tennis a try to help improve their swings. But unlike in softball, DePasquale swung and missed quite a bit.

"I was thinking it would be easy, but it wasn’t," she said. "I had to lighten up my swing. Softball comes more naturally."

DePasquale also has much more experience playing softball from her tee-ball days at Columbus Square and later at St. Nicholas of Tolentine. Many of her GAMP teammates were playing for rival parish St. Monica, and winning all the Catholic Youth Organization Region Six championships.

Now they’re singing together in the GAMP chorus.

DePasquale prefers the dance numbers. When GAMP students recently staged a performance of Annie in the South Philadelphia High auditorium, she danced to Let’s Go to the Movies and other songs from show.

"I’ve been dancing since I was little," said DePasquale, who is also a member of the color guard and student council.

DePasquale hopes to continue playing softball at Saint Joe’s, where she plans to major in criminal justice so she can become a criminologist.

Luckily, she’ll no longer have to worry about singing.