Preston continues to be the darling of the CHSAA.
The young Panthers have been one of the surprise teams this season and added another notch in their belts by beating defending CHSAA state champion Archbishop Molloy behind another brilliant performance from Megan Kelly in the circle. Fontbonne Hall avenged an early season loss to Mary Louis in dramatic fashion, winning in eight innings. We also welcome Horace Mann to the rankings at No. 9 fresh off a win over Ivy power Poly Prep.
Here are how the teams stack up this week:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (5-0) (Last week: 1)
The Vikings will have to wait until next month to try to put a stranglehold on CHSAA Staten Island after its game with Moore Catholic was rained out Sunday. Sea can establish itself as the CHSAA city favorite when defending Catholic state champ Archbishop Molloy visits Saturday.
Next: @ St. Joseph Hill (April 23, 4 p.m.)
2. Moore Catholic (5-1) (2)
Maxine Jasko and Nicole DeMartino continue to make up one of the best middle-of-the-order combinations in the city. They combined for four hits, two doubles and two RBIs in a win over Notre Dame and Jasko drove in two more against St. John Villa.
Next: St. Joseph Hill (April 26, 4 p.m.)
3. Preston (5-0) (4)
Preston just keeps climbing up these rankings. This week’s move to No. 3 comes after a 3-0 win over Archbishop Molloy. St. Joseph by the Sea and Moore are the only CHSAA teams to beat the Panthers this season. Another date with rival Spellman is set for Tuesday.
Next: @ Maria Regina (April 23, 4:15 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (6-1) (3)
Molloy just can’t seem to find a rhythm. Maria Palmeri came back in grand style in a win over St. Francis Prep, but Dana and Taylor Moss missed a loss against Preston. One bright spot has been the superb pitching of Victoria Goldbach and freshman Amanda Zeni in the circle.
Next: @ Christ the King (April 23, 3:45 p.m.)
5. St. Francis Prep (6-2) (5)
Nicole Lomangino kept the Terriers in the game for five innings, but the SFP bats again awoke too late in a second loss to rival Molloy. Briana Emanuele had two hits and three runs and Kelly Lucil went 2-for-3 in a bounce back win over Christ the King.
Next: @ No. 9 Fontbonne Hall (April 23, 3:45 p.m.)
6. Fontbonne Hall (4-3) (7)
The Bonnies are in the position they want to be heading into Monday’s showdown with St. Francis Prep. A thrilling eight-inning win over Mary Louis puts them alone in third in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens and they have a chance to move into a tie for second by beating SFP.
Next: No. 5 St. Francis Prep (April 23, 3:45 p.m.)
7. Mary Louis (3-5) (7)
Mary Louis can’t seem to get over the hump in extra-inning games, falling for the third time this season. TMLA rallied to send the game to the eighth against Fontbonne Hall, only to leave the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning. Coach Ginny Peiser believes that experience will help her team down the road.
Next: @ Christ the King (April 17, 3:45 p.m.)
8. Cardinal Spellman (3-1) (10)
The Bronx school shook off some rust from a two-week hiatus and picked up three wins last week. The most impressive was a non-league tilt over fellow Bronx power DeWitt Clinton. Jillian Santiago went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs in a win against Sacred Heart.
Next: Good Counsel (April 23, 4:15 p.m.)
9. Horace Mann (3-1) (NR)
After dropping a wild game to Riverdale, Horace Mann bounced back by beating rival Poly Prep last Monday in a rematch of last year’s NYSAISAA title game. The Lions followed it up with a win over Dalton on Wednesday and a non-league victory over Walton on Friday. Jamie Gropper has been on fire, hitting .750 for the young season.
Next: @ Fieldston (April 25, 4:15 p.m.)
10. St. Edmund (8-0) (10)
St. Edmund continues to be the best team in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘A’ division. The Eagles will get another test this week against one of the league’s top programs when it visits Bishop Ford. Veronica Cupo continues to be one of its top hitters.
Next: @ Bishop Ford (April 23, 3:45 p.m.)
New: Horace Mann (-1)
Dropped out: Poly Prep (3-1)
On the bubble: Poly Prep (3-1), Notre Dame Academy (2-5), St. John Villa (2-3) and Fieldston (3-1).