Just two weeks into the league season and already we have major changes. Yes, this is going to be quite a season. Monroe takes over the top spot from George Washington after knocking off the Trojans, 8-7, on Sunday. DeWitt Clinton moves up to No. 5 following its dramatic 5-4 win over Lehman, which fell to No. 9.
For that and more, check out The Post’s PSAL baseball rankings below:
1. James Monroe (4-0) (Last week: 2)
Three of the Eagles’ four league victories have come via run-rule margins, but their most impressive win was Sunday’s non-league, 8-7 thriller over George Washington. Cruz Resto, who was academically ineligible last year, hit a two-run homer and earned the save by retiring the heart of the Trojans’ lethal lineup. Obviously, the senior makes a big difference for Monroe.
Next: Stevenson (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
2. George Washington (4-0) (1)
The Trojans’ lineup, featuring Mike Antonio, Xyruse Martinez and Nelson Rodriguez, is intimidating. But George Washington’s versatile pitching staff, arguably the deepest in coach Steve Mandl’s tenure, should strike the most fear into the rest of the city; it has allowed just two earned runs in 20 innings so far in league action.
Next: Brandeis (Apr. 19, 4 p.m.)
3. Norman Thomas (4-0) (3)
Eugenio Mesa has enjoyed quite a season in three games – nine RBIs, a .714 average and six stolen bases, numbers that exceeded his output as a junior. The Tigers aren’t nearly as deep – nor as dominant – on the mound as they were last year, so Norman Thomas has to pound the opposition to be successful. Mission accomplishment; they are scoring just over nine runs per game.
Next: Bayard Rustin (Apr. 19, 4 p.m.)
4. James Madison (4-0) (4)
Is the Knights’ pitching as good as advertised? Or is Brooklyn A East weak? The answer is somewhere in the middle. Madison has allowed just one run in 24 innings, an absurdly low amount no matter the competition.
Next: Canarsie (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
5. Tottenville (4-0) (5)
Tottenville coach Tom Tierney Jr. expected his lineup to produce consistently this spring, and the Pirates, namely Zach Granite, Gil Mendoza and Kevin Krause, have come through up to this point. The Tots have scored at least six runs in each victory, an atypically crooked number last year.
Next: Curtis (Apr. 19, 4 p.m.)
6. DeWitt Clinton (4-0) (9)
Unless Joaquin DeJesus leads the football team to a city championship, his greatest athletic achievement at Clinton may be the play he made Friday night. The junior outfielder robbed Lehman’s Tyler Gurman of a game-winning grand slam by climbing an eight-foot chain-link fence in the seventh inning. It capped an unforgettable final frame and improbable 5-4 Clinton win.
Next: @ Walton (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
7. Telecommunications (3-0) (6)
Brooklyn A West will start to get interesting this week as the undefeated Yellow Jackets host 4-0 New Utrecht on Tuesday. Despite standout catcher Jason Galeano managing just one RBI, Telecom has still scored a bushel of runs. That’s, in part, because junior Chris Martinez has six and Daniel Perri, another junior, has five.
Next: New Utrecht (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
8. Francis Lewis (4-0) (9)
Yes, it’s only four games, but in those four games Francis Lewis has appeared much improved offensively. The Patriots have scored 42 runs, more than 10 per game, numbers they couldn’t have dreamed of last year. That large smile you see is one ace right-hander Jonathan Bobea can’t wipe off his face.
Next: Forest Hills (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
9. Lehman (3-1) (5)
The Lions can go one of two ways from here: they can let Friday’s devastating 5-4 loss to Clinton stick with them, carry over into this week. Or they can put it behind them, use it at motivation, and respond with a fury.
Next: Gompers (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
10. Morris (3-0) (10)
It’s not too early to say it: Morris is for real. The Bulldogs went to John F. Kennedy and left victorious, then swept a home-and-home with Walton, including a 3-1, 13-inning thriller. Right-hander Arismendy Nunez is the best pitcher in the city nobody talks about – except us.
Next: South Bronx (Apr. 20, 4 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Beacon (4-0), Fort Hamilton (4-0), Gompers (2-1), Grand Street Campus (3-0), John Adams (4-0), John F. Kennedy (3-1), Long Island City (4-0), McKee/Staten Island Tech, New Utrecht (4-0), and Stuyvesant (3-1)