NYC baseball rankings
Last Updated: 3:16 AM, May 28, 2012
Posted: 2:22 AM, May 28, 2012
Poly Prep claimed the first baseball championship of the spring. Who will follow in the Blue Devils' lead?
We're a few weeks away from finding out, but this week will go a long way toward that goal for several teams. The PSAL will hold its quarterfinals Tuesday and semifinals over the weekend while the CHSAA Class AA best-of-three series' starts Monday with doubleheaders and the championship round gets underway Wednesday.
Our top six holds -- each team enjoyed a solid week -- but there is some turnover in the bottom four. For the entire breakdown, read below:
1. Grand Street Campus (17-1) (Last week: 1)
The Wolves weren’t tested by Environmental Studies and Taft in the opening two rounds of the PSAL Class A playoffs, but James Monroe, their quarterfinal opponent, will certainly push them. This could be the year Grand Street Campus finally gets to a championship game, but with Monroe and possibly nemesis Tottenville in its way, it won’t be easy.
Next: James Monroe, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lane)
2. Xaverian (18-1) (2)
John Pena gave up just one hit over four innings and Xaverian routed St. Raymond, 12-0 in five innings, to earn the top seed overall in the CHSAA Class AA playoffs. The Clippers beat Fordham Prep in comeback fashion on Saturday.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
3. Cardozo (18-0) (3)
The Judges proved they were deserving of the top seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs with a pair of commanding victories last week over Murry Bergtraum and Newtown by a combined 19-2. That, however, was only the warm-up act for Cardozo, which meets Brooklyn A West winner Telecommunications in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. If it gets by the Yellows Jackets, defending city champion George Washington may very well be waiting in the wings in the semis.
Next: Telecommunications, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Lafayette)
4. Tottenville (17-3) (4)
The Pirates have allowed 10 runs in 18 PSAL contests this spring, an astoundingly-low amount. When you factor in the strides the lineup has made, it’s quite understandable why they have won every league game not ruled a forfeit. Last year’s runner-up is not going to be an easy out.
Next: John Adams, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Old Boys high Field)
5. Poly Prep (20-4) (5)
Another year, another Andrew Zapata-driven NYSAISAA title for Poly Prep. The Blue Devils topped Fieldston, 4-2, in the championship game last Wednesday as Zapata tossed a one-hitter. Good luck beating these guys next spring as Zapata, Phil Maldari and Morgan Gray all return to defend the two NYSAISAA crowns and look for a seventh straight Ivy Prep League title.
Next: Season complete
6. George Washington (16-2) (6)
Throw out a loss to Norman Thomas last week and George Washington has won nine straight league games by a combined 110-12. The Trojans can atone for that loss on Tuesday in the PSAL Class A quarterfinals when they meet their rivals at Grand Street Campus.
Next: No. 10 Norman Thomas, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Grand Street Campus)
7. St. Raymond (13-5) (9)
It was a lost game Sunday for St. Raymond, a 12-0, run-rule loss to Xaverian in the CHSAA seeding tournament. The Ravens walked nine batters, but the good news is they’ll still be the No. 2 seed in the championship round of the CHSAA playoffs.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
8. Moore Catholic (13-3) (7)
Chris Wolf had a big, two-run double and Moore Catholic beat Fordham Prep, 5-2, to earn the No. 3 seed in the upcoming championship round of the CHSAA playoffs. The Mavs’ pitching will be set with Shea Spitzbarth throwing Wednesday.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
9. St. Joseph by the Sea (12-3) (8)
The Vikings will get a familiar opponent in their third-round, best-of-three series Monday: division rival Monsignor Farrell. Sea has already dropped a game to the Lions this year, so they will not be taken lightly in a series format.
Next: Monsignor Farrell, CHSAA third round Game 1 (May 28, 10 a.m. @ St. John’s University)
10. Norman Thomas (16-2) (10)
Will Luis Monell go with his best arm, Franklin Pierce-bound senior Jeffrey Ledesma, or Garbin Villar, who beat George Washington the final week of the regular season? Only the first-year coach knows. The good thing is both are on full rest and could split the PSAL Class A quarterfinal, also, against Norman Thomas’ rival.
Next: No. 4 George Washington, PSAL Class A quarterfinals (May 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Grand Street Campus)
New: none
Dropped out: none
On the bubble: Fordham Prep (13-7), Archbishop Molloy (11-6), John Adams (16-2), Telecommunications (15-3), James Monroe (15-3), James Madison (14-4), and Manhattan Center (12-6) (10)