If you’re looking the real winner this week it was Mother Nature.
Rain derailed all but two of three days’ worth of games causing little changes in these rankings – at least less than usual. Moore Catholic has moved up to No. 4 courtesy of No. 5 Fordham Prep’s loss to All Hallows, which moves up to No. 7. Fieldston and St. Francis Prep arealso in this week at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively.
For more, check out below:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (7-0) (Last week: 1)
Brian Russell was dominant again and Sea took it to Archbishop Stepinac, 8-0, on Friday. Nick Gonchar has been arguably the team’s most consistent hitter and he was 4-for-4 against the Crusaders. This week upcoming is a big one: Moore Catholic on Wednesday and then Monsignor Farrell on Friday night at the College of Staten Island.
Next: Salesian (May 7, 4 p.m.)
2. Xaverian (10-0) (2)
It was an uneventful week for Xaverian, which dealt with a few rainouts. The Clippers did get some good news Wednesday when Blaise Scerbo committed to Seton Hall, an impressive accomplishment for the 6-foot-4 ace. Scerbo, who is coming back from a bout with a sore arm, will make his first start this week against either Holy Cross or Archbishop Molloy.
Next: Holy Cross (May 7, 4 p.m. @ College Point LL)
3. Poly Prep (12-3) (3)
What a week this will be for Poly Prep, which is red-hot with nine straight victories. The Blue Devils can inch closer to a sixth straight Ivy Prep League crown with a win over second-place Fieldston on Thursday and host New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep on Saturday in a non-league showdown between a pair of nationally ranked foes.
Next: New Dorp (May 7, 4:30 p.m.)
4. Moore Catholic (7-1) (5)
Barring rain, which has hurt teams’ momentum over the last week, this is a huge few days for Moore Catholic. The Mavericks travel to Cardinal Hayes on Monday, head to Monsignor Farrell on Tuesday and then host St. Joseph by the Sea on Wednesday. The Mavericks can make a play for the Staten Island division title with a big week.
Next: Cardinal Hayes (May 7, 4 p.m. @ Roberto Clemente State Park)
5. Fordham Prep (8-1) (4)
The Rams had a 5-0 lead against All Hallows on Saturday and looked to be cruising to another win. But the Gaels came all the way back to grab a 6-5 win, handing Fordham Prep its first loss of the season. Anthony Velazquez and Vinny Capone will try to continue their hot hitting against Xavier, Iona Prep, Archbishop Stepinac and Monsignor Farrell in a loaded week.
Next: Xavier (May 7, 4 p.m.)
6. St. Raymond (9-3) (6)
The Ravens make scoring double-digit runs look easy – there’s little doubt that they are the best offensive team in the CHSAA. St. Ray’s beat Iona Prep, 10-4, on Saturday led by Dave Sanchez. Julian Monserrate pitched a gem in a 10-2 win against Salesian on Sunday. Marc DeLuca’s team has won nine of its last 10 games and looks primed for a deep playoff run.
Next: All Hallows (May 8, 4 p.m.)
7. Cardinal Spellman (6-4) (8)
It was a lost week for Spellman after getting shut down last Sunday by Brian Russell and St. Joseph by the Sea. Rain pretty much ruined the last few days and the Pilots have had to sit with the memory of striking out 17 times in eight innings against the Sea ace. The good news is that Spellman has gotten good pitching, too, from the likes of Chris Scholkoff and Malik Dixon.
Next: @ Archbishop Stepinac (May 7, 4 p.m.)
8. All Hallows (6-4) (9)
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what All Hallows is. The Gaels were red hot the last two weeks, knocked off Fordham Prep on Saturday and looked to be regaining the form that took them to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional championship game last year. But then the Bronx squad fell to under-.500 St. Peter’s on Sunday, leaving the rest of the league scratching its head.
Next: @ Mount St. Michael
9. Fieldston (10-2) (NR)
The Eagles have destiny in their own hands. If they win out, which would include beating Poly Prep on Thursday, The Bronx school would win the Ivy Prep League. Of course, that’s easier said than done – winning Thursday in Bay Ridge won’t be easy. Before that showdown, Fieldston has a big non-league test against ACIS power Berkeley Carroll, last year’s NYSAISAA runner-up, on Monday.
Next: Berkeley Carroll (May 7, 4:30 p.m.)
10. St. Francis Prep (7-3) (NR)
The Terriers did almost as good a job beating the rain as they did defeating the opposition this week. St. Francis beat Bishop Ford, 9-7, on Monday to grab second place in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘AA’ and then blasted St. Edmund Prep, 11-0, on Tuesday. This week looms large with games against Monsignor McClancy, Archbishop Molloy, Holy Cross and Xaverian.
Next: Monsignor McClancy (May 7, 4 p.m. @ Cunningham Park)
New: Fieldston (10-2) and St. Francis Prep (7-3)
Dropped out: Berkeley Carroll (12-2) and Archbishop Stepinac (5-5)
On the bubble: Berkeley Carroll (12-2), Iona Prep (5-5), Archbishop Molloy (6-4), Archbishop Stepinac (5-5), Holy Cross (6-4), St. Ann’s (6-4) and Bishop Ford (6-5)