This week is the transition period. Most playoff races are already locked up and despite some minimal jockeying for position, the postseason is about to be officially upon us.
In the PSAL, outside of two intriguing games involving Tottenville (Poly Prep and Susan Wagner), most teams are getting ready for the playoffs. Archbishop Molloy and St. Edmund have already won their respective CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens divisions and St. Joseph by the Sea has locked up Staten Island. Plenty of credit has to be given to Moore Catholic, though. The Mavericks have played tight with the Vikings the last two times.
Here’s how the rankings look before the playoffs begin:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (13-0) (Last week: 1)
With the CHSAA Archdiocesan playoffs starting this weekend, coach Mike Ponsiglione wanted to throw freshman windmiller Jackie Cautela into a big game. She impressed, scattering seven hits, strucking out seven in a 3-2 win over Moore Catholic. Sea travels to play Immaculate Heart, one of New Jersey’s top teams, at Seton Hall Thursday.
Next: @ St. Joseph Hill (May 10, 4 p.m. @ South Beach)
2. Tottenville (14-0) (2)
The Pirates haven’t had a week this tough probably all season. Not only do they have league games against Port Richmond and No. 7 Susan Wagner on Monday and Thursday, respectively, but they also welcome Poly Prep on Tuesday. It’ll be a nice pre-playoff experience for a team trying to win its seventh straight PSAL city title.
Next: No. 7 Port Richmond (May 10, 4 p.m. @ West Shore Little League)
3. James Madison (11-1) (3)
If there’s a team in the PSAL that could beat Tottenville in the playoffs, it is probably Madison. The Knights have all the tools – pitching, hitting and defense – that could give the Pirates trouble. But how much does playing in weak Brooklyn A hurt them? It didn’t really last year when they went to the championship game.
Next: @ Lincoln (May 10, 4 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (12-0) (4)
If Molloy has proven one thing this season it is that they are a deep and gritty club. Stanners have dominated games, come from behind with big innings and late rallies. There have been different heros — Julia Lipovac, Marissa Puzino and Dana Moss included. They will look to head into the playoffs with their second straight unbeaten league season.
Next: No. 8 St. Francis Prep (May 10, 3:45 p.m.)
5. Poly Prep (9-0) (5)
Coach Mildred Piscopo is ingenious when she makes her non-league schedule. She stacks the end of the season – right before the NYSAISAA tournament – with the top teams in New York City. This week, Poly has No. 2 Tottenville on Tuesday to go along with an Ivy League game with Horace Mann on Friday.
Next: Dalton (May 12, 4:30 p.m.)
6. Moore Catholic (9-3) (7)
Senior pitcher Emily Horihan has done her job in her last two outings against St. Joseph by the Sea. She has given her team a chance to win and controlled the Vikings’ lineup, but Moore has fallen short in two tight contests. Coach Kristine Knuth’s team hopes that victory over Sea will come in the Archdiocesan playoffs.
Next: @ Notre Dame Academy (May 11, 4 p.m.)
7. Susan Wagner (13-1) (6)
If there’s one thing about these Falcons it’s that they respond well to adversity. In a controversial resumed game against Port Richmond two weeks ago, Wagner banged out six runs in three innings. And after a heartbreaking loss to Poly Prep last week, the Falcons zapped PR, 9-0, the following day.
Next: McKee/Staten Island Tech (May 10, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills Little League)
8. St. Francis Prep (8-4) (NR)
We welcome the Terriers back to the New York City rankings. Coach Ann Marie Rich’s team earned its spot by beating No. 9 Christ the King for the second time this season and finishing second in the CHSAA Queens division. SFP will try to snap Molloy’s 28-game league winning streak Monday.
Next: @ No. 4 Archbishop Molloy (May 10, 3:45 p.m.)
9. Christ the King (8-5) (8)
The Royals are riding high heading into the playoffs, where they believe they have as good a shot as anyone. CK won three of its four games last week, its only loss to St. Francis Prep. It earned a thrilling win over St. Edmund Friday when the red hot Melanie Suarez hit a three-run home run with two outs in the top of the seventh to put her team ahead.
Next: @ Fontbonne Hall (May 17, 3:45 p.m. CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens quarterfinals)
10. Construction (12-0) (9)
Here’s the thing about Construction: The Red Hawks are not just built to be successful in the present. Coach Marco Migliaccio’s plan is for the young school to field a competitive – ideally elite – softball team for years and years. His five freshmen – led by big boppers Linda McKernan and Kailan Luciano – assure Construction a bright future.
Next: Franklin K. Lane (May 10, 4 p.m. @ Highland Park)
New: St. Francis Prep (8-4)
Dropped out: Horace Mann (7-2)
On the bubble: Horace Mann (7-2), St. Edmund (7-6), Fieldston (6-3), St. Joseph Hill (4-6), Mary Louis (6-7), Cardozo (10-2), Bayside (11-2), St. John Villa (6-7), Port Richmond (10-4), Francis Lewis (6-5), Preston (7-6), Clinton (9-2) and Riverdale/Kingsbridge (10-2)