W.C. East pounds Frankford, 14-0

It didn't take long for Bobby Jacobs to figure out when West Chester East won its lone state baseball title.

It has been four years since East won the crown, and Jacobs has been the starting catcher for the Vikings since. "They won the year before I came," Jacobs said. "I want to get there. I've been this close."

Yesterday, Jacobs - with plenty of support - helped move the 2007 Vikings one step closer as they bludgeoned Frankford, the Public League champion, by 14-0 in the first round of the PIAA Class AAAA playoffs at La Salle University.

East (19-4) advanced to face the winner of today's game between Souderton and Exeter (it was postponed yesterday because of poor field conditions) in the second round on Thursday. The East-Frankford contest was one of the few games played in the area thanks to the newly installed artificial turf at La Salle.

Unfortunately for the Pioneers (15-3) and retiring coach Bob Peffle, the Vikings pounded the carpet with 15 hits. The only hit that didn't touch the surface was a two-run home run from Jacobs in the fifth and final inning, which capped the scoring.

"That felt great," said the Penn State-bound Jacobs, "although this feels a little shorter than our home field."

Jacobs' poke majestically cleared the two-story-high fence right at the 330-foot sign in left-center. It signaled the senior's late-season surge.

"In the beginning of the season, I got off to a slow start," he said. "But the ice broke and now I'm seeing the ball well."

In the interim, though, Jacobs performed his usual yeoman's work behind the plate. You don't start as a freshman at the most demanding position for no reason at all.

"He's been there all year defensively," East coach Dean Owens said. "I don't think there have been many guys who have stolen on him. And not too many teams try."

Said East starter Dave Koczirka: "As a pitcher, to have a catcher that frames the ball makes all the difference in the world. He gets a lot of close strikes for you."

Koczirka was pulled after two innings as East led, 12-0. If No. 2 starter Ryan McCafferty runs into trouble on Thursday, the righthanded Koczirka will be available.

McCafferty, at first base, was 3 for 4 with three RBIs and one of five Vikings from the top of the order to have multiple hits. Brett DeFelice (2 for 4), Koczirka (2 for 4), Tyler Ebersole (2 for 4) and Jacobs (2 for 3, two RBIs) led the assault as East scored five runs in the first and added seven in the second.

Frankford, now 0 for 3 in state playoff games, committed seven errors.

"As far as I'm concerned," said an emotional Peffle, "I'm not going out on a sour note."

After 34 years of teaching, 22 as the wrestling coach, and 19 at the baseball helm, Peffle coached his last game for his alma mater (Class of 1965). He exits with 11 Public League titles in wrestling and five in baseball.

West Chester East 570 02 - 14 15 1

Frankford000 00 - 0 2 7

WP: Dave Koczirka. LP: Esteban Meletiche. 2B: WC-Brett DeFelice, Ryan McCafferty 2. 3B: WC-Justin Leeson, Steve Snyder. HR: Bobby Jacobs.