No, it isn’t the playoffs yet. But this week will feel like it.
Over the next eight days, seven of these teams will play meaningful games with fellow ranked teams – many of them will play twice against a top squad. Tottenville and James Madison will meet in a title game rematch Monday. Construction and Francis Lewis meet Tuesday. Next Monday, Tottenville and Susan Wagner finally tangle.
These rankings have a chance to look completely different next week. Check them out now before they change:
1. Tottenville (5-0) (Last week: 1)
Call it Hell Week. It all starts off for Tottenville on Monday in a PSAL Class A city championship rematch with James Madison, follows Thursday with a game against McKee/Staten Island Tech, continues Friday when the Pirates head to Construction and finally they can take a deep breath next Monday after a massive game with rival Susan Wagner.
Next: No. 4 James Madison (April 16, 4 p.m.)
2. Construction (5-0) (2)
This is the week that could propel Construction into the PSAL softball stratosphere. The Red Hawks meet Francis Lewis on Tuesday and host Tottenville on Friday in the biggest four regular-season days in program history. Going 2-0 would put them in line for a No. 1 seed.
Next: @ No. 6 Francis Lewis (April 17, 4:30 p.m.)
3. Susan Wagner (5-0) (3)
Taylor Sarcone was brilliant and the Wagner defense flawless in a 5-0 non-league win over Francis Lewis on Thursday morning. The Falcons have games this week against DeWitt Clinton, Petrides and Environmental Studies before welcoming Tottenville to Great Kills next Monday.
Next: No. 10 DeWitt Clinton (April 16, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills LL)
4. James Madison (6-0) (4)
Madison will play Tottenville on Monday in a rematch of last year’s PSAL Class A city championship game. If sophomore Cheyenne Tatesure gets the start, she’ll have experience pitching in Huguenot – she got the ball last year when the Knights met the Pirates out there.
Next: @ No. 1 Tottenville (April 16, 4 p.m.)
5. McKee/S.I. Tech (5-1) (5)
MSIT has taken care of business against everyone in PSAL Staten Island not named Susan Wagner. Amanda Mondello has been impressive at bat and the Seagulls will take their cuts against Tottenville on Thursday in what could be a major statement game for the young team.
Next: Environmental Studies (April 17, 4 p.m. @ Central Park)
6. Francis Lewis (6-1) (6)
The Patriots have been in a bit of a hitting funk over the first two weeks of the season, getting blanked in a non-league contest Thursday against Wagner and a loss to Bayside before that. This is Lewis’ chance to break loose against Construction on Tuesday and Madison on Thursday.
Next: No. 2 Construction (April 17, 4:30 p.m.)
7. Cardozo (6-1) (7)
The Judges, under new coach Pete Douglas, have a chance to make waves this week in crossover games against LaGuardia and Bryant. Two wins would solidify Cardozo as one of the best teams in the PSAL again despite the dismissal of coach Larry Alberts for “inappropriate language.”
Next: LaGuardia (April 16, 4:30 p.m.)
8. Bayside (6-1) (8)
Burgeoning with young talent, Bayside has proven it is a team to watch for the rest of the season led by sophomore ace/slugger Heidi Gomez. In the absence of longtime coach Steve Piorkowski, who is battling cancer, coach Maggie Kassimis and assistant Soribel Paulino are doing great.
Next: @ Newtown (April 17, 4:30 p.m.)
9. Telecomnunications (5-1) (9)
The Yellow Jackets can get a leg up in the division James Madison this week playing American Studies @ Lehman in a rematch of last year’s PSAL Class B final and InTech Academy. Madison’s opponents – Tottenville and Francis Lewis – are far stronger.
Next: American Studies @ Lehman (April 16, 4 p.m. @ The Dust Bowl)
10. Clinton (6-1) (NR)
The Governors bounced back from a loss to Stevenson two weeks ago by beating Bryant in a non-league game over Easter Break. Maguette Fofana was back to her previous self, keeping the ball in the strike zone and becoming the premier pitcher in PSAL Bronx A.
Next: No. 3 Susan Wagner (April 16, 4 p.m. @ Great Kills LL)
New: Clinton (6-1)
Dropped out: Bryant (4-1)
On the bubble: Bryant (4-1), George Washington (5-1), InTech Academy (5-2), Grand Street Campus (4-1), Petrides (3-2) and Stuyvesant (4-1)