High Schools - Wilmer leads George Washington over Prep Charter in Public League quarterfinal

Just because a guy is committed to playing football in college, don't assume his second sport is now an afterthought.

Mention baseball and Damien Wilmer darn near gushes.

"I like football a little bit more," Wilmer said. "But if it came to a career-profession thing, I'd prefer baseball. It's not as physical, of course, and you can have a lot more longevity.

"When I get up to Albright, I'm hoping to set up a private workout for the baseball coach, so I can make an attempt to get onto that team. Really, I'd love for a pro scout to come see me, because playing major league baseball, well, that would definitely be my dream."

Wilmer, a 5-11, 200-pound senior catcher, yesterday went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three RBI as George Washington bested visiting Prep Charter, 13-3, in a Public League quarterfinal stopped after six innings by the 10-run rule.

All three of his ribbies came in the six-run third, as the Eagles sent 11 men to the plate. Wilmer's homer, a blast to left-center field estimated at 335 feet, started the frame and, yes, he enjoyed it.

"That was a no-doubt-about-it," he said, laughing. "I was even walking coming out of the batter's box [to watch]. I knew it off the bat.

"Earlier in the game, [Sean McGovern] threw me a whole lot of curves and he struck me out. My dad [Tom, a former Jules Mastbaum Tech third baseman] saw what was happening and told me to do two things: move up in the box and closer to the plate.

"It worked. When he came in with the curve, I was ready for it."

Wilmer had plenty of help in the hitting department. Will McFillin went 3-for-4 with one RBI, while Dan Engelberg and Andrew Goodman stroked two hits apiece. Goodman added two RBI. Engelberg settled for one.

Like Goodman, Wilmer was a participant Saturday night in the 34th annual Daily News-Eagles City All-Star Football Game. Damien played tight end, but wound up with no catches. He was not alone. The Pub had zero passing yards in a 48-7 setback.

"They did throw me one pass," Wilmer said. "It got tipped, then I got smacked in the back.

"Know what? I didn't come away from that game disappointed. When you get blown out like that, maybe you're thinking 'complete failure.' But it wasn't. The practices were a lot of fun, and I'm proud I got to play with the best guys in the Public League. I made a lot of new friends."

At Albright, Wilmer is targeted for the H-back position.

That's during football season, of course. But don't be surprised if he winds up wearing equipment come springtime, as well.

In other quarterfinals:

* CENTRAL 15, LINCOLN 0: Shane Meyer and Micah Winterstein had matching performances (3-for-3, two RBI) and Aaron Esbensen turned his three hits into one RBI as the host Lancers won in four innings. Zach Magdovitz allowed two hits and struck out six.

* FRANKFORD 7, PET 0: As the host Pioneers bested Philadelphia Electrical and Technology, Esteban "Shortie" Meletiche went 2-for-2 with one RBI, scored three runs and pitched one-hit, 10-whiff ball over five innings. Frank Donato finished up. Randy Pizzo singled twice for PET. *