This week is a big one – to say the least.
When all is said and done next Sunday, there will be a CHSAA city champion, just four teams left in the PSAL and a NYSAISAA titleholder. There was very little movement this week and that means there hasn’t been many shocking surprises in the postseason thus far.
St. Joseph by the Sea won the CHSAA Archdiocesan, Archbishop Molloy won CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens and the teams ranked in the PSAL made it out of the first round. No. 4 Poly Prep has been within a hair of beating the three teams above it in the rankings, but can’t seem to get that one mammoth win.
Here’s how things are looking in New York City softball:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (18-0) (Last week: 1)
The Vikings’ perfect record was in jeopardy against No. 4 Poly Prep on Friday, but like a true champion they rallied. Sea got a run in the seventh and seven more in the eighth for an 8-1 win that saw Jackie Cautela strike out 15. Coach Mike Ponsiglione’s club, which won a third straight Archdiocesan title, plays Archbishop Molloy for the CHSAA city crown Tuesday.
Next: No. 4 Archbishop Molloy, CHSAA city championship (May 25, 5 p.m. @ Moore Catholic)
2. Tottenville (18-0) (2)
What else is there left to say about Tottenville? Even in a season where the Pirates are supposedly down, they’re the overwhelming favorite to win a seventh PSAL city title. The players who didn’t start last year, girls like pitcher Nicole Palase, shortstop Tara Gallo and third baseman Samantha Mattsson, have been nothing short of phenomenal.
Next: George Washington, PSAL Class A second round (May 25, 4 p.m.)
3. James Madison (15-1) (3)
Madison beat Lehman in the first round of the PSAL Class A playoffs last week, but its biggest victory actually came in a non-league game against No. 4 Poly Prep. The Knights won, 2-0, on the back of a two-hit gem by Kayla Hill, who struck out 10. First baseman Nikki Panaro had a massive home run to give her team its only runs.
Next: Curtis, PSAL Class A second round (May 25, 4 p.m.)
4. Poly Prep (12-0) (4)
In the last two weeks, Poly has played all three teams above it in The Post’s rankings and been close with every one of them. Tottenville and St. Joseph by the Sea, which visited Friday, pulled away late and James Madison got just two hits, but one was a two-run home run. The Blue Devils turn to the NYSAIS tournament, where they’re trying to win five straight.
Next: Hackley, NYSAISAA semifinals (May 24, 4:30 p.m.)
5. Archbishop Molloy (15-1) (6)
The Stanners haven’t forgotten their last two losses to St. Joseph by the Sea and a second straight CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title has them wanted to accomplish more. Molloy is looking forward to playing the unbeaten Vikings, who beat them in run-rule fashion earlier this season. Coach Maureen Rosenbaum also wants to make a mark in the state tournament.
Next: No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea @ Moore Catholic (May 25 5 p.m. CHSAA city championship)
6. Moore Catholic (14-4) (5)
For the second time this season the Mavericks were victims of a big St. Joseph by the Sea inning, this time a six-run fourth in the Archdiocesan championship game. Moore certainly improved with each game this season, but ran into the Vikings for a third straight time in the title game.
Next: Season over
7. Susan Wagner (16-2) (7)
The Falcons have gotten better as the season has gotten older. There was a rough stretch for Wagner and ace Taylor Sarcone early on, but things have clearly turned around. Coach Marco Altieri’s team meets Bushwick in the second round Tuesday and, with a victory, takes on either Bayside or Port Richmond in the quarters Friday.
Next: Bushwick, PSAL Class A second round (May 25, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills LL)
8. St. Francis Prep (11-5) (8)
Briana Franceschini nearly played hero again against Archbishop Molloy, but had two possible RBI hits go foul in a 2-0 Game 1 loss. SFP would get swept and strand 16 runners on base over two games. Still the young Terriers came a long way from when the season started.
Next: Season over
9. Christ the King (9-6) (9)
Seniors Oliva Auman, Melanie Suarez and the rest of the Royals can look back fondly on this season. CK collected wins over SFP and TMLA and played right with Archbishop Molloy, which beat the Royals, 4-2, in the semifinals. It was the Middle Village school’s finest season in 10 years.
Next: Season over
10. Cardozo (13-2) (10)
The Judges are in cruise control right now, riding the right arm of ace Amanda Annicaro. But they cannot look past Stuyvesant in the second round of the PSAL Class A playoffs Tuesday. The Renegades are coming off a solid win against Bronx Science. If Cardozo can play like it did in two recent victories against Bayside, it could be looking at the semifinals again.
Next: Stuyvesant, PSAL Class A second round (May 25, 4 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Construction (14-0), Mary Louis (6-9), Horace Mann (10-3), Bayside (12-3), Port Richmond (12-6), St. Edmund (7-7), Preston (11-6), Francis Lewis (8-6), St. Joseph Hill (7-9), St. John Villa (6-10), Clinton (12-2) and Riverdale/Kingsbridge (12-2)