Sports

CHSAA baseball rankings

We are down to three teams in the CHSAA Class A intersectional playoffs, two after Xavier and St. Raymond meet Tuesday night in an elimination game at St. John’s University. The winner will meet our new No. 1, St. Joseph by the Sea, in Friday night’s championship game. While the bottom half of our CHSAA rankings are largely untouched, the top five teams played musical chairs with their spots.

Here’s what the rankings look like:

1. St. Joseph by the Sea (18-2) (Last week: 2)

Sea is trying to buck the recent trend on Staten Island, which has teams enjoying a solid regular season and falling early in the playoffs. The formula for the Vikings is simple – strong pitching, timely hitting and flawless — well almost flawless — defense. And don’t think this is a one-hit wonder. Sea’s younger squad defeated Iona Prep to claim the junior varsity title Friday night at St. John’s.

Next: Class A intersectional title game vs. TBA @ Kaiser Stadium (June 11, 7:30 p.m.)

2. St. Raymond (17-7) (3)

The rallying Ravens bounced back nicely after a disappointing loss to St. Joseph by the Sea to upset top-seeded Xaverian and bounce seventh-seeded Iona Prep from the playoffs. The pitching, led by Ricky Eusebio, who has two wins and a save in five days, and left-handers James Santiago and Kevin Juarbe, has gotten out of jams and offensive stars like Manny Rivera, Luis Paniagua, Joe Tellez and Jon Crucey have come up with timely hits.

Next: Class A intersectional semifinals vs. No. 3 Xavier @ Kaiser Stadium (June 8, 7 p.m.)

3. Xavier (16-7) (6)

The Knights backed up a remarkable upset of top-seeded Xaverian in the opening round of the Class A intersectional tournament to get within a game of a berth in Friday night’s championship game. Head coach Rich Duffell has made all the right moves, calling on sophomore lefty Nick DiLeo against Xaverian and saving ace Rob Maguire for Stepinac. The Knights won both games, but fell to Sea, 5-2, Sunday night with Maguire on the hill. Can DiLeo deliver again, this time against St. Ray’s?

Next: Class A intersectional semifinals vs. No. 2 St. Raymond @ Kaiser Stadium (June 8, 7 p.m.)

4. Xaverian (19-3) (1)

Yes, it was another unexpected early playoff exit for the perennial powerhouse, but Xaverian will be just fine, thank you. The Clippers return several standouts, including Arizona-bound, switch-hitting catcher Elvin Soto and the entire starting infield, which features budding stars Kevin Martir at third and fellow sophomore Eric Kalman at second.

Next: Season complete

5. Bishop Ford (15-7) (5)

Their season ended in the most heartbreaking of ways, on a walk-off to Brooklyn rival Xaverian. And although they fell short of their goal of competing for the CHSAA Class A intersectional title game, the Falcons emphatically proved they are back on the map with their longest postseason run in 15 years. Seniors like Matt Molbury, Stephen Bove, Anderson Mateo and Esteban Gomez are big reasons why.

Next: Season complete

6. Monsignor Farrell (13-7) (4)

It’s incredibly difficult to advance deep in the Class A intersectional tournament after an opening round loss, but if any team could do it this postseason we were sure it was Monsignor Farrell. The Lions had a strong rotation and a few players, like Gary Boardman, Nick Del Prete and Mike Viegas, who could get it done offensively. But the Lions lacked that killer instinct, which proved to be part of the reason for their downfall.

Next: Season complete

7. St. Francis Prep (13-8) (7)

Oh those errors, they’ll kill you every time. Just ask St. Francis Prep, which fell to Iona Prep in a best-of-three qualifying series in three games. In both losses to the Gaels, the Terriers had a combined nine errors. “I don’t think we gave up an earned run all series,” St. Francis Prep coach Bro. Robert Kent said. It’s too bad, too, because seniors like Lebro Burnette, Chris Fesler and Joe Lentino deserve a better fate.

Next: Season complete

8. Moore Catholic (10-9) (8)

Moore suffered a disheartening loss to Bishop Ford in the decisive third game of a best-of-three qualifying series that ended its season. While it also marked the end of the high school careers for seniors Neil Connelly and Chris Ahearn, it was just the first taste for many underclassmen, including sophomore catcher Joe Todaro and sophomore first baseman/pitcher John Baggs.

Next: Season complete

9. All Hallows (12-9) (9)

Xavier has just four seniors and some of St. Raymond’s top players are underclassmen. When you consider All Hallows has a solid crop of returning players led by ace James Norwood and center fielder Jason Perez, you begin to think that the Bronx/Manhattan division just might be the best in the city next year.

Next: Season complete

10. Fordham Prep (13-8) (10)

The Rams didn’t repeat as Class A intersectional champions, and while seniors Mike Maschi and Joe Pareres graduate, the future is looking bright in Rose Hill with slugging first baseman Sal Annunziata coming back for his senior year and sophomore pitchers Andrew Pucillo and Matt DiLeece gaining valuable varsity experience this season.

Next: Season complete

New: None

Dropped out: None

On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (10-8), Regis (10-9) and Monsignor McClancy (10-9)

dbutler@nypost.com