Cold day for the Huskies

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As an outfielder, Prep Charter senior Dan Cavalieri is well aware unexpected collisions with the fence are part of his job.

Of course, high school fences aren’t as tall or intimidating as the one at Citizens Bank Park, which is capable of shattering a player’s nose.

Heading into the May 16 District 12 AA semifinal baseball game against Girard Academic Music Program, Cavalieri was ready to take on the fence at Seventh Street and Packer Avenue, just like Phillies starting center fielder Aaron Rowand did last week.

"I think he put everything on the line," Cavalieri said of Rowand, whose catch saved three runs against the New York Mets. "He showed great pride laying his body on the line. I would do the same."

This time around, amazing catches weren’t enough to dethrone GAMP, the defending District 12 AA champs, who picked up a 12-2 victory.

Coming from the B Division, Cavalieri knew his Huskies were considered the underdogs.

"If we lose and know we did our best, we can still feel good about ourselves," the outfielder had said.

The downside is Cavalieri and senior pitcher Bill McGovern ended their high school careers without advancing past the first round of the playoffs.

McGovern, who noted he was excited heading into the game, said, "It’s sad because it might be the last game I ever play."

Cavalieri, a Southwest Philadelphia resident, said he plans on going out for the West Chester University baseball team in the fall, while McGovern, of Third and Porter streets, plans to do the same at Temple.

Come next season, it’ll be up to the underclassmen to take Prep Charter baseball into the next round of the playoffs. McGovern said he and Cavalieri, who made it into postseason three of their four seasons, helped set the winning foundation.

"We tried to help prepare the younger players as much as we could," McGovern said.

With the victory, GAMP, who got nine strikeouts from junior pitcher Brandon Henson, will host Saul in the District 12 AA championship game May 19 at Seventh Street and Packer Avenue. Saul advanced by defeating Nueva Esperanza, 9-3, in the other May 16 AA semifinal. The Pioneers enter the game looking to make their second straight trip to the PIAA AA state tournament.

In other playoff news, Bok’s baseball team is not making a return trip to the state tournament after losing 7-6 to Swenson in the May 16 AAA semifinal game.