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Playing on a pro diamond is nothing new for Girard Academic Music Program’s Ryan Challender. He previously played at Baltimore’s Camden Yards for the Phillies RBI baseball team.
May 24, Campbell’s Field on the scenic Camden Waterfront – complete with the Ben Franklin Bridge standing stoically high above – provided the setting for the Public League District 12 semifinal game between GAMP and defending champ Frankford. Since winning the title in 2002, the Pioneers haven’t advanced past the quarterfinals.
Challender said he was excited to end the drought, but, of course, he would’ve preferred a better outcome than losing 10-2. The senior outfielder scored a run, but the combination of two hits and four errors made it tough for the South Philly squad to have any chance at victory.
"I had fun," he said."I got to play four years, but it ended on a sad note."
Frankford, who defeated GAMP twice during the regular season, led 2-0 after one inning and 6-0 after two. The Pioneers didn’t score their first run until the fourth, at which point they were trailing, 7-1.
No matter how many runs his team was down, Challender, being the lone senior, refused to quit.
"Me, personally, until the last out, I didn’t think we were out of the game," he said.
The team had a chance to close the gap in the fourth, with runners at second and third with two outs. But they only scored one run – with three innings left.
"In baseball, you’re going to have bad games like this," coach Art Kratchman said."We knew we had to play perfect baseball to beat [Frankford]. We didn’t.
"They beat us three times, so I am going to say they’re better than us."
The upside is the Pioneers are extremely young with a starting lineup that includes four juniors and four sophomores. It means the lone hole will be in the outfield where Challender started. John Dunn and John DeStefano, who Challender said"are tremendous leaders," are the other departing players.
The scenario makes for a promising future at GAMP.
"We’re going to be a strong team next year and get over the hurdle," Challender said."I think next year, GAMP is going to be a team to look out for."
But it’s not time to be looking ahead just yet. GAMP will open the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AA tournament June 5, with opponent and location to be determined. Last season, the Pioneers made a strong showing, but lost, 13-11, to Springfield Montco. The outfielder is looking forward to another shot at the crown.
"I think we played well last year," he said."When we’re on a level playing field, anything can happen."
After taking five days off, the team returned to practice May 30.
"Hopefully, we’ll perform a little better there," Kratchman said of the PIAA match.
