The last two weeks were just an appetizer. The PSAL softball season starts in earnest now with a week loaded with interesting matchups.
No. 1 Tottenville will meet No. 3 Susan Wagner and No. 5 Bayside. No. 6 Port Richmond takes on No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech, which also faces No. 8 Bronx Science. Just about every team has a tough game with spring break now in the rearview mirror.
Here’s how the rankings look now:
1. Tottenville (2-0) (Last week: 1)
Tottenville didn’t just beat CHSAA power Moore Catholic last week. The Pirates pounded the Mavericks, 16-2. If that result is any indication, coach Cathy Morano’s girls have to be looked at as the overwhelming favorite to win a seventh PSAL city title.
Next: No. 3 Susan Wagner (April 6, 12 p.m.)
2. James Madison (0-0) (2)
The Knights finally start their league slate this week when they take on Midwood on Wednesday and Fort Hamilton on Friday. Madison has fared well in non-league games and scrimmages, beating a host of solid PSAL teams as well as Poly Prep and Moore Catholic.
Next: Midwood (April 7, 4 p.m.)
3. Susan Wagner (2-0) (3)
The Falcons haven’t played a game since March 26 after a nice spring break respite. It’s back to business in a hurry for Wagner, which travels to powerhouse Tottenville on Tuesday. The result of that game means a ton with regards to the landscape of the PSAL this season.
Next: @ No. 1 Tottenville (April 6, 12 p.m.)
4. Cardozo (1-0) (4)
A crossover game comes very quickly for Cardozo when it travels to Bushwick on Friday. That’s no gimme either. Bushwick won a game in the playoffs last year and is a pretty solid Brooklyn squad. The Judges will need ace Amanda Annicaro to be healthy.
Next: @ Bushwick (April 9, 4 p.m.)
5. Bayside (2-0) (5)
There’s nothing like Friday traffic going over the Verrazano Bridge. Bayside will find that out the hard way this week when it meets Tottenville in a crossover game. It’s a rematch of the 2008 championship game and a chance to make a statement for the Commodores.
Next: @ No. 1 Tottenville (April 9, 4 p.m.)
6. Port Richmond (2-0) (6)
Port Richmond and McKee/Staten Island Tech were rained out last week, but the pivotal game will commence Tuesday. The two teams are battling it out to be considered in the upper echelon of Staten Island with Tottenville and Susan Wagner.
Next: No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech (April 6, 1 p.m. @ West Shore LL)
7. Bryant (1-0) (7)
The Owls welcome Stuyvesant in an intriguing crossover game Friday. The Vixens are an up and coming program and Bryant is old reliable, always among the PSAL’s elite in coach Wally Hausdorf’s 30 years on the bench.
Next: Stuyvesant (April 9, 4 p.m.)
8. Bronx Science (2-0) (8)
Good luck to McKee/Staten Island Tech trying to get to the west Bronx on a Friday afternoon. That’s sure to be a hike. And when the Sea Gulls get there, they’ll have to face a pretty good Bronx Science team.
Next: No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech (April 9, 4 p.m. @ Riverdale/Kingsbridge)
9. Construction (1-0) (9)
Friday is the kind of game coach Marco Migliaccio has wanted for two years now – his team against one of Queens’ elite. Construction, last year’s Class B champ, should be extremely fired up when it goes across the borough to meet Francis Lewis.
Next: @ Francis Lewis (April 9, 4:30 p.m.)
10. McKee/Staten Island Tech (2-0) (10)
MSIT has not won pretty, but the Sea Gulls are 2-0 and they’ll take it. They gave up a combined 23 runs in their first two games. Coach Jessica Ragucci’s team might struggle in the circle all season, but it seems like the Gulls can bop a little.
Next: No. 6 Port Richmond (April 6, 1 p.m. @ West Shore LL)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Francis Lewis (1-0), DeWitt Clinton (2-0), Bushwick (2-0), Stuyvesant (2-0) and Murry Bergtraum (2-0)