These rankings just aren’t going to stay static very much this year.
St. Joseph by the Sea and Xaverian remain at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, but that’s about all that’s the same. Poly Prep is back up to No. 3 after a big win over George Washington on Saturday and Fordham Prep climbs to No. 4 courtesy of three straight wins to open its league season.
Stay tuned, though – next week could look totally different. Here’s the rest:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (3-0) (Last week: 1)
Chris Falcone pitched a second straight gem against a top CHSAA team and Sea pounded Moore Catholic, 7-1, on Thursday. The Vikings are the hottest team in the league, but they have work to do this week against another tough Staten Island opponent. They play Farrell on Tuesday and Friday and then welcome Cardinal Spellman to Huguenot on Saturday.
Next: Monsignor Farrell (April 24, 4 p.m.)
2. Xaverian (5-0) (2)
And people were saying Xaverian was without an ace. Blaise Scerbo returned this week in relief, but John Pena, Frank Kaplan and Brian Rosa threw three straight shutouts against league opponents, cementing the Clippers as perhaps the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title favorite again. Once Scerbo (sore arm) gets back to full health, watch out.
Next: Christ the King (April 23, 4 p.m.)
3. Poly Prep (7-3) (4)
What a difference a week makes. At this time last Sunday, Poly Prep was scuffling, losers of two straight; now the Blue Devils are flying high after their 5-2 win over defending PSAL Class A champion George Washington on Saturday – their fourth straight victory.
Next: No. 10 Berkeley Carroll (Apr. 23, 4:30 p.m.)
4. Fordham Prep (3-0) (5)
Andrew Velazquez hasn’t wasted any time getting into the swing of things. The Virginia Tech-bound shortstop has hit three home runs in three games, has eight RBIs and is making an early push for All-City Player of the Year. The Rams made a huge statement in their first game Tuesday by beating Iona Prep, 9-2.
Next: @ Salesian (April 24, 4 p.m.)
5.
Cardinal Spellman (4-1) (8)
Sophomore ace Nick Padilla injured his elbow, but Chris Scholkoff and Malik Dixon picked up Spellman this week. Scholkoff tossed a gem to defeat Iona Prep on Friday and Dixon came back a day later and was terrific in a win over Monsignor Farrell. Don’t look now, but the upstart, young Pilots are a legitimate CHSAA Class AA intersectional title contender.
Next: Mount St. Michael (April 23, 4 p.m.)
6. Moore Catholic (4-1) (6)
Shea Spitzbarth continued his hot start this week, striking out 12 in a win over Farrell that ended up going 12 innings. A day later, though, Moore looked emotionally spent in a 7-1 loss to St. Joseph by the Sea. The Mavericks will play a home-and-home with winless St. Peter’s on Tuesday and Friday.
Next: St. Peter’s (April 24, 4 p.m. @ Richmond County Youth League)
7. Iona Prep (3-3) (3)
Once thought to be the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title favorite, Iona Prep has taken somewhat of a step back with league losses to Cardinal Spellman, Fordham Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea. The Gaels have also lost to Xaverian in the Monroe Tournament. With co-aces Matt D’Ariano and Tim McCarthy, though, it’ll be surprising if Iona isn’t there in the end.
Next: Archbishop Stepinac (April 24, 4 p.m.)
8. Archbishop Molloy (4-1) (NR)
In his first career CHSAA start, junior Greg Boyle threw a gem and got out of a dicey situation in the seventh inning against St. Francis Prep on Monday. Chris Piteo hit a huge three-run home run as Molloy came back on Bishop Ford on Wednesday. The Stanners get their biggest test of the season thus far Wednesday against Xaverian.
Next: Holy Cross (April 23, 4 p.m. @ College Point LL)
9. St. Raymond (4-2) (NR)
After starting 0-2, St. Ray’s has reeled off four straight wins in impressive fashion. The Ravens aren’t just beating teams, either – they’re blowing them out. Coach Marc DeLuca’s team had run-rule victories over Xavier and St. Peter’s this week and look to be one of the top offensive teams in the league led by Leo Bravo, Orlando Collado and Cheyanne Reyes.
Next: Cardinal Hayes (April 25, 4 p.m.)
10. Berkeley Carroll (11-1) (7)
The Lions are mortal. After starting the season with 11 straight wins, Berkeley Carroll finally lost a game, falling to Long Island Lutheran 3-1 in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Park Slope school is actually looking up at St. Ann’s in the ACIS, though that could change when the two teams meet twice next week.
Next: @ No. 3 Poly Prep (Apr. 23, 4:30 p.m.)
New: Archbishop Molloy (4-1) and St. Raymond (4-2)
Dropped out: Fieldston (7-1) and All Hallows (3-3)
On the bubble: Fieldston (7-1), Xavier (3-2), Archbishop Stepinac (3-2), St. Ann’s (4-1), Bishop Ford (4-2) and Horace Mann (7-2)