Public League final moved to Tuesday

MOTHER NATURE assured yesterday that one specific comment will not be heard next week after the 2013 Public League baseball final.

"If only we'd been able to use our top pitcher . . . "

When Franklin Towne Charter and Frankford bang heads Tuesday at 3:45 at Richie Ashburn Field, in South Philly's FDR Park, the pitchers will be the same guys who posted strong outings in the semis, and they'll be going on significant rest.

In Monday's semis, senior righthander Tim Hart spun a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts as Towne muffled Girard Academy Music Program, 4-2. In a 3-2 success over Prep Charter, Frankford senior righthander Carlos Ramirez allowed five hits.

Towne and Frankford finished Division A play with six and eight losses, respectively, and the 14 combined setbacks will be a record for a Pub final. In 2002, 5-9 GAMP shocked 10-4 Northeast in the championship game. In their four playoff wins that year, the Pioneers triumphed by six total runs.

Since '02, Frankford (seven) and Central (three) have joined forces to claim all 10 championships.

Also postponed yesterday was the game to decide which team will meet La Salle once or twice for bragging rights in the Catholic League's first double-elimination tournament.

A first announcement yesterday morning later was retracted and St. Joseph's Prep will now meet Archbishop Ryan today, noon start, on La Salle University's almost-all-turf field (everywhere except the mound).

La Salle, survivor of the winners bracket, awaits. That game is set for 11 a.m. tomorrow at Widener University. A loss by La Salle would force a rematch Tuesday, 3:45, at Widener.