NYPost.com PSAL baseball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down Tuesday’s Class A quarterfinals. All four matchups will be at neutral sites beginning at 3:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE
3:30 p.m. – No. 1 Cardozo vs. No. 8 Telecommunications @ Lafayette
3:30 p.m. – No. 2 Grand Street Campus vs. No. 7 James Monroe @ Lane
3:30 p.m. – No. 3 Tottenville vs. No. 6 John Adams @ Old Boys High Field
3:30 p.m. – No. 4 George Washington vs. No. 5 Norman Thomas @ Grand Street Campus
No. 1 Cardozo Judges
Coach: Ron Gorecki
Record: 18-0, Queens A East
Player to watch: Adrian Castano
No. 8 Telecommunications Yellow Jackets
Head coach: Ed D’Alessio
Record: 15-3, Brooklyn A West
Player to watch: A.J. Serrano
Outlook: When Cardozo was awarded the top seed, many second-guessed the move by the seeding committee. The Judges, however, have shown they belong thus far, blasting No. 32 Murry Bergtraum and No. 16 Newtown last week by a combined 19-2.
Undefeated in Queens A East for the second straight season, coach Ron Gorecki’s team has all the pieces to win a city crown, from high-end starting pitching with Connor Doyle and Adrian Castano to a potent and deep lineup with few holes.
They’ll have to get past Telecom first, which won’t be easy. Unlike Cardozo, the Brooklyn A West champion Yellow Jackets got to this point last year and nearly upset Grand Street Campus. They will have ace A.J. Serrano on the mound and while coach Ed D’Alessio’s kids are young – more than half of his starting lineup are underclassmen – they are experienced and full of talent.
No. 2 Grand Street Campus Wolves
Head coach: Melvin Martinez
Record: 17-1, Brooklyn A East
Player to watch: Ernesto Lopez
No. 7 James Monroe Eagles
Head coach: Mike Turo
Record: 15-3, Bronx A East
Player to watch: Randy Perez
Outlook: After dropping its league opener, Grand Street has reeled off 17 straight wins against league competition. Led by Maryland-bound duo Kevin Martir and Jose Cuas, PSAL Class A Triple Crown winner Ernesto Lopez and speedy leadoff man Basael (Ralphy) McDonald, the Wolves have arguably New York’s City top lineup and plenty of pitching to match. The issue for coach Melvin Martinez and Co. has never been about talent – it’s been about executing this time of year.
Monroe hasn’t enjoyed much playoff success the last few years, losing to loser-seeded teams each of the last two springs. That won’t happen this time around unless the Eagles somehow meet No. 8 Telecommunications in the semifinals. This isn’t a typical Monroe team, from its youth to lack of star power. It is nevertheless dangerous with ace Ricky Parra expected back on Tuesday from an elbow injury and the batting order starting to gain consistency.
Randy Perez has shined in the playoffs for Monroe, driving in three runs in a second round-win over No. 23 Bryant and throwing 5-2/3 shutout innings in the opening-round victory over No. 26 Curtis. Justin Morales, Ivan Objio and Luis Santini have all come on of late as well.
No. 3 Tottenville Pirates
Head coach: Tom Tierney Jr.
Record: 17-3, Staten Island A
Player to watch: Mike Sullivan
No. 6 John Adams Spartans
Record: 16-2, Queens A East
Player to watch: Anderson DeLeon
Outlook: Don’t expect many runs to score in this matchup. While Tottenville may have the best pitching staff in the PSAL, if not the city, behind co-aces Vin Aiello and Mike Sullivan, John Adams is right there with them.
Sensational sophomore Anderson DeLeon will get the ball against the Pirates after going the distance in a 7-1 win over No. 27 Luperon in the opening round of the playoffs for his seventh win. If he falters, Adams, back in the quarterfinals after a seven-year absence, will have senior co-ace Braylin Nunez waiting in the wings.
What’s scary about Tottenville is its offense has started to produce as well, with solid hitters like Iona College-bound Joe Sessa, FDU recruit John Giakas, Sullivan and Anthony Capo all contributing. The pitching staff, which gave up just 10 runs in 17 league contests all year, doesn’t need much help anyway.
No. 4 George Washington Trojans
Head coach: Steve Mandl
Record: 16-2, Manhattan A East
Player to watch: Fernelys Sanchez
No. 5 Norman Thomas Tigers
Head coach: Luis Monell
Record: 16-2, Manhattan A East
Player to watch: Jeffrey Ledesma
Outlook: These two teams could face each other the first week in April and there would be tension – it’s that kind of rivalry. Now consider they split the season series, shared the Manhattan A East crown and a semifinal berth will be on the line and you can only imagine what Tuesday’s showdown will be like.
Aside from a loss to Norman Thomas, George Washington has played impeccable baseball. The defending champions went through No. 13 New Dorp and No. 29 John Bowne last week like a knife through butter and received a boost from center fielder Fernelys Sanchez, who returned from a broken fibula he suffered during the preseason.
It will be interesting to see who first-year Norman Thomas coach Luis Monell goes with on Tuesday as top starters Jeffrey Ledesma and Garbina Villar will both be on full rest. Villar beat George Washington while Ledesma was hit hard in a loss. Ledesma is the staff ace and is headed to top Division II program Franklin Pierce. Monell has pushed all the right buttons this spring, leading the star-less Tigers to a split of the Manhattan A East crown and to the quarterfinals, much further than many predicted they would go back in April.