A champion was crowned and for the first time since 2000, St. Joseph by the Sea was the last team standing.
The Vikings washed away the heartache of the last two seasons by holding off Archbishop Molloy, 3-2, in the CHSAA state title game last week. Kristina Mazzarisi, who drove in the eventual winning run, provided the final out by tossing the ball over to first baseman Laura Leone with the winning run on base. They got there by holding off St. John the Baptist, 4-3, in the semifinals. Sea put together one of the finest seasons in recent memory.
Not to be lost in all of this is Molloy. It won its second straight Brooklyn/Queens title and advanced to the state final for the first time. Then the Stanners came as close as any team this season from handing Sea its first loss. A solid core returns.
Here are this season’s final rankings:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (21-0) (Last week: 1)
There were plenty of hugs, smiles and more than one Gatorade bath, with coach Mike Ponsiglione soaking a few of his players. The Vikings completed their season-long goal of a CHSAA state title with a thrilling, 3-2 win over Archbishop Molloy. Amanda Barrese worked out of her second seventh-inning jam of the afternoon to secure the Vikings’ perfect 29-0 record and erase the memory of two straight defeats in the final.
Next: Season over
2. Archbishop Molloy (16-3) (2)
If you weren’t a believer in Victoria Goldbach before, you should be now. The sophomore windmiller gave up just three earned runs (one to Sea) in two CHSAA state playoff games and nearly pitched the Stanners to a state title. A costly error and the lack of one more big hit in the seventh kept Molloy from raising some more hardware, but it was a fine season none the less.
Next: Season over
3. Moore Catholic (14-4) (3)
Next season will be a reloading one at Moore Catholic. Coach Kristine Knuth, coming off a return trip to the Archdiocesan final, will need to replace a talented group of seniors, including pitchers Gina Palmeri and Emily Horihan along with Courtney Strype and Danielle Doscher.
Next: Season over
4. St. Francis Prep (11-4) (4)
The Terriers will spend another offseason preparing to return to the mountain top. SFP was swept for the second straight season in the Brooklyn/Queens final by Archbishop Molloy, which returns the two pitchers who did it. The good news for SFP was that its young squad peaked at the end of the season and will be hungry.
Next: Season over
5. Christ the King (9-6) (5)
The Royals had arguably their best season in the last 10 years. It was one filled with dramatic wins and big-time performances thanks to their fully matured senior group. CK may have been the league’s oldest team and could find itself filled with some inexperience next season.
Next: Season over
6. Mary Louis (7-8) (7)
Mary Louis has plenty of reason to be optimistic. TMLA brings back both its starters, junior ace Rebecca Warne and sophomore Erin Guilyfole. Guilyfole came on and shut the door in a playoff win over St. Edmund. Third baseman Shannon Minihane lived up to the billing as a complete player as well.
Next: Season over
7. St. Edmund (7-7) (6)
The Eagles will lose a ton of influential seniors, but the middle of their order and left side of the infield will be just fine. Shortstop Cassandra Molinari, one of the best pure hitters in the city, and third baseman Janelle Garvey, a budding power hitter, will return. St. Edmund has a Brooklyn title to defend.
Next: Season over
8. Preston (11-6) (8)
Laura Montalto lived up to her “Monster” nickname in the postseason. Her grand slam gave Preston the lead for good against St. Joseph Hill and her two-run double helped give her team a short-lived lead on Sea. It will be her team text year with a talented group of seniors graduating.
Next: Season over
9. St. Joseph Hill (7-9) (9)
The Hilltoppers were a team of upperclassman this season and made their second straight Archdiocesan playoff appearance. Lucky for coach Joe Wuensch a good portion of them are juniors. Shortstop Katie Scarangello and outfielder Nicole Gundacker lead a strong group of returnees.
Next: Season over
10. St. John Villa (6-10) (10)
Brittany Smith is one of the city’s most versatile players. The junior can beat you with speed and power at the plate and is one of CHSAA Staten Island’s top pitchers and shortstops. She will try to lead to the Bears back among the elite in the division.
Next: Season over
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Fontbonne Hall (6-7) Bishop Kearney (5-8) and Cardinal Spellman (5-6)