We promised you last week there could be some changes and boy we weren’t lying. Besides the top three – St. Joseph by the Sea, Tottenville and James Madison – every other spot has some turnover. Plus we have three new teams making their season debuts.
With a boatload of PSAL crossover games and major CHSAA league games this week, don’t expect the rollercoaster to slow down too much. In fact, it might not until the season comes to a close.
Here are the rankings:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (3-0) (Last week: 1)
Before the season started Meghan Seaman was tagged as the Vikings’ most improved players. She proved her teammates right this week as she had two four-RBI days and struck out 10 in five innings in a win over St. Peter’s. Sea faces league rival and No. 7 Moore Catholic on Saturday.
Next: @ St. John Villa (April 13, 4 p.m.)
2. Tottenville (4-0) (2)
The Pirates’ first challenge of the young season has come and went. Tottenville run-ruled Susan Wagner, 12-2, in an impressive display. New ace Nicole Palase has eased the transition from last year beautifully and coach Cathy Morano’s team looks like the one to beat in the PSAL again. The team it beat in last year’s final, Madison, will challenge Tottenville in a crossover league game Tuesday.
Next: @ Petrides (April 12, 4 p.m.)
3. James Madison (2-0) (3)
The No. 1 seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs could be decided Tuesday when Madison meets six-time defending champion Tottenville in Brooklyn. The Knights lost to the Pirates, 4-2, in last year’s PSAL Class A city title game and have every single player back. So far, Madison has been impressive beating the likes of Archbishop Molloy, Susan Wagner, Poly Prep and Moore Catholic in non-league games.
Next: Grand Street Campus (April 12, 4 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (1-0) (5)
Sophomore ace Maria Palmeri battled through the heat to pitch Molloy to a Preston tournament championship. The Stanners bats also awakened last week as Dana Moss, Sabina DeLorenzo and Palmeri began to swing consistantly. But traditionally you can throw that out the window when St. Francis Prep and Molloy play. Their first meeting is Thursday.
Next: @ Christ the King (April 13, 3:45 p.m.)
5. Poly Prep (2-0) (6)
Not a bad start for Poly Prep. In three games, including two in league play, the Blue Devils have outscored the competition, 33-2. The 1-2 punch of Victoria Capozucca and Erica Sollazzo in the circle has been devastating to opposing lineups. Coach Mildred Piscopo hopes that continues Wednesday when Poly visits Fieldston in a battle of what could be the top two teams in the Ivy League.
Next: @ Fieldston (April 14, 4 p.m.)
6. Susan Wagner (3-1) (4)
The Falcons didn’t have the best spring break. They fell to Construction and Tottenville in consecutive days before rebounding in a league crossover against Environmental Studies. All can be corrected with a pair of wins this week against Cardozo and Francis Lewis. Speedy centerfielder Danielle Locke could be the key.
Next: New Dorp (April 12, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills LL)
7. Moore Catholic (2-0) (7)
It will be one of the year’s biggest games when St. Joseph by the Sea visits Moore Catholic on Saturday. The teams are considered the elite of CHSAA Staten Island and the Mavericks handed the Vikings one of their two losses last year. Windmiller Emily Horihan has been excellent so far and Danielle Doscher is hot at the plate.
Next: St. Peter’s (April 12, 4 p.m.)
8. St. Francis Prep (2-0) (NR)
The Terriers have had a string of aces over the years from Nina Cesare to Lynn Schiano to Krystil Hofmann to Johanna Rice. Will Katie Derby be next in line? The junior hurler keeps the ball down and has SFP on the rise with wins over St. Edmund and Kearney. Next up is Queens rivals Mary Louis and Archbishop Molloy this week.
Next: @ No. 9 Mary Louis (April 13, 3:45 p.m.)
9. Mary Louis (3-0) (NR)
There is no doubt the Hilltoppers can hit. Jen Falcone proved that again with a two-run blast in a win over Fontonne on Saturday. Jill Zic and Krystal Gonzalez are also swinging well. How big a step forward has TMLA taken? We will find out Tuesday when it plays St. Francis Prep.
Next: No. 4 St. Francis Prep (April 13, 3:45 p.m.)
10. Construction (2-0) (NR)
In just its third varsity season, Construction is making its debut in the New York City rankings. And that’s a major credit to the job coach Marco Migliaccio has done with his program. The Red Hawks made major statements last week when they beat both Susan Wagner and Cardozo in non-league games and Francis Lewis in a crossover league game.
Next: @ Petrides (April 15, 4 p.m.)
New: St. Francis Prep (2-0), Mary Louis (3-0) and Construction (2-0)
Dropped out: Cardozo (2-0), St. Joseph Hill (0-2) and Bishop Kearney (0-2) (10)
On the bubble: Port Richmond (4-0), Bishop Kearney (0-2), Cardozo (2-0), Christ the King (1-0), Preston (1-0), Notre Dame Academy (2-1), St. Edmund (0-3), Bayside (2-1), Bryant (2-0), Bronx Science (3-0) and Francis Lewis (2-1)