The CHSAA baseball season came to an anticlimactic end Friday night with the preseason favorite Xaverian capturing its seventh Class AA championship tournament title, overwhelming All Hallows in a blowout.
While the end of the season was to be expected, there was plenty of drama to get to that final moment, especially All Hallows’ unlikely run to the title.
How does that affect the final CHSAA baseball rankings of the season? Find out below.
1. Xaverian (21-2) (Last week: 1)
Elvin Soto used the disappointment of not getting selected in the Major League Draft to helping lead the Clippers to their first city title since 2008 with two hits and two RBIs in a 7-1 trouncing of All Hallows. He’ll head to Pittsburgh with a championship ring and the Clippers will return as preseason champs – again. Some things never change.
Next: Season complete
2. All Hallows (17-9) (3)
The Gaels won the Bronx-Manhattan division title and made it all the way to the Class AA final, looking to win its first ‘AA’ title since 1954. It wouldn’t happen as St. Louis University-bound ace James Norwood was the hard-luck loser, done in by a few huge early errors. Still, it was a memorable season for Ed Gutierrez’s squad and with four sophomores in the starting lineup, the future is certainly bright.
Next: Season complete
3. Iona Prep (17-7) (2)
The varsity squad couldn’t match the junior varsity, which won the Class AA title on the same Kaiser Stadium field. With its deep pitching staff, these Gaels probably had the best chance at giving Xaverian a run for its money. But the pitching and the defense, which led Iona Prep to the Bronx-Westchester division crown, were non-existent in a season-ending loss to All Hallows.
Next: Season complete
4. Xavier (15-9) (4)
This time last year, we talked about the Knights magical run to its first-ever Class AA title game and having virtually everyone back for what could have been a return trip this year. Xavier would fall short of that, but led by Nick DiLeo, James McCool and Sean Meekins, it was another deep playoff run. While McCool and Meekins graduate, DiLeo should be one of the league’s top pitchers next year and the anchor of Rich Duffell’s squad.
Next: Season complete
5. Monsignor Farrell (16-4) (5)
It’s hard to fathom finishing fifth in the CHSAA rankings with a 16-4 record would be disappointing, but that’s the case for a Monsignor Farrell squad that reeled off 14 consecutive wins to open the season and won the Staten Island title. Still, led by center fielder Mike Viegas, ace Nick Thorgersen and RBI machine Jordan Stark, it was a memorable year in Oakwood.
Next: Season complete
6. Archbishop Molloy (16-6) (6)
Expectations are sky-high in Briarwood and rightfully so. The Stanners made some noise this season, challenging Xaverian for the Brooklyn-Queens division title and returning to the double-elimination Class AA championship tournament. And with Jonathan Ramon anchoring the returning players and some talent from a solid junior varsity squad making the move up, Molloy could be a team poised for an even deeper playoff run.
Next: Season complete
7. Fordham Prep (14-9) (7)
It appeared the Rams had everything to make a deep playoff run – veterans who won the Class AA title two years earlier, a deep and talented pitching staff and arguably the best center fielder in the city in junior Andrew Velazquez. Still, defense wins championships and its why Fordham Prep’s season came to an early and unceremonious ending.
Next: Season complete
8. St. Francis Prep (12-11) (8)
There are a solid crop of seniors, many of whom were starters, whose high-school career came to an end with a loss to All Hallows. But we don’t expect Bro. Robert Kent to be rebuilding next year, not with rising junior Taso Stathopoulos, along with Arron Acosta, Gabriel Gonzales and Steve Pelan back for the Terriers.
Next: Season complete
9. Moore Catholic (11-7) (9)
You want an early contender for next year’s title? They reside in Staten Island. No, not Monsignor Farrell or St. Joseph by the Sea; it’s Nick Doscher’s Mavericks, who return a bevy of key cogs, including center fielder Matt Diorio.
Next: Season complete
10. Monsignor McClancy (11-10) (10)
Rob Mongiori is a three-year starter at shortstop, a team captain who hit .385 and made just five errors all year and Dan Restrepo is a solid leadoff hitter and center fielder who batted .375 and will play at New York Tech next year. They were part of the core of a McClancy team that enjoyed a special second half of the season, while third baseman Jose Urena is very much part of the Crusaders future.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Archbishop Stepinac (11-10), Cardinal Spellman (9-13) and St. Joseph by the Sea (10-6)