Public League baseball championship postponed

Because of the steamy temperature and concern about possible thunderstorms, the Public League baseball championship game between Frankford and Edison was postponed Wednesday.

The Pioneers and Owls are scheduled to play at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Richie Ashburn Field, at FDR Park in South Philadelphia.

"I was pretty shocked when I heard it was postponed," Frankford coach Juan Namnun said. "We were almost at the field when we found out."

The Pioneers are trying for their first Public League title since 2008 and sixth in the last nine seasons. Central won in 2006, '09, and '10.

Edison, under first-year coach Matt Fischer, is in the league final for the first time in the program's 55-year history.

Namnun is expected to send junior righthander Omar Cruz to the mound. For the Owls, hard-throwing senior righthander Nate Coronado is the likely starter.

Frankford has been fueled by Cruz, also an outfielder; centerfielder and leadoff batter Augusto Ortega; infielder Kevin Montero; and shortstop Israel Diaz.

In addition to Coronado, who doubles at shortstop, Edison's catalysts are his brother Nelson, a pitcher and third baseman; pitcher-first baseman Johnny Pagan; and centerfielder and leadoff man Joshua Fontanez.

The Frankford-Edison winner will meet Monsignor Bonner for the PIAA District 12 Class AAAA championship at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Ashburn.

Also at Ashburn, at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, will be a District 1-12 Class AA subregional playoff between Springfield (Montco) and Esperanza.

The District 12 Class AAA final between Franklin Towne Charter and Neumann-Goretti is likewise set for Thursday. At noon, the Saints, fresh off winning the Catholic League title, will host the Coyotes at 25th and Moore Streets in South Philly.