For the fist time in a month our rankings hold — the result of the season finally gaining consistency. Of our top 10, only two teams — Telecommunications and Beacon — lost this week, but the two dropped hard-to-take one-run games to top-ranked Grand Street and No. 2 George Washington. Clearly, there is no shame in that.
For more on the rest of our top 10, read below:
1. Grand Street Campus (8-0) (Last week:1)
The hunter is now the hunted after the Wolves’ memorable run to the prestigious Monroe Tournament crown last week. They saw the difference with a bull’s eye on their back as Grand Street was nearly getting upset by No. 10 Telecommunications last Friday in a 5-4 victory. Freshman closer Alex Cuas made sure that didn’t happen, tossing two scoreless innings for his second save.
Next: Brooklyn Tech (May 5, 4 p.m.)
2. George Washington (7-0) (2)
The Trojans followed up a dominant performance in its own holiday tournament by rallying past Manhattan A West-leading Beacon in Washington Heights on Wednesday. It was an impressive performance by a team used to beating up on the opposition. Alexis Torres had the big blow, a two-run triple in the 5-4 win.
Next: @ West 50th Street (May 2, 4 p.m.)
3. James Monroe (6-1) (3)
Aside from a tough loss to Grand Street in its tournament, Monroe has been hitting on all cylinders of late. Leading the charge is power-hitting first baseman Frailyn Paez and his 15 RBIs. He continued the onslaught on Saturday with a home run in the Eagles’ non-league 6-2 victory over private school power Berkeley Carroll. The 3-4-5 of third baseman Jordan Frair, Paez and second baseman Kelvin Toribio is as tough to navigate as any in the city.
Next: Morris (May 2, 4:30 p.m.)
4. Lehman (6-1) (4)
Adam Droz doesn’t get enough recognition for the work he does year in and year out. The longtime Lehman baseball coach lost his ace and top hitter in Tyler Gurman to graduation along with several other integral seniors. Yet the Lions are back atop Bronx A West – one of the toughest divisions in the city – reached the semifinals of the Monroe Tournament and looking very much like a June contender yet again.
Next: Columbus (May 2, 4 p.m.)
5. Tottenville (8-0) (9)
At this pace, the Pirates won’t be seen as so top heavy by late May. Anthony Capo and Michael Sullivan continue to improve at the plate, alleviating the pressure on the lethal top four of Kevin Krause, Gil Mendoza, Tom Kain and George Kantzian.
Next: @ Port Richmond (May 2, 4 p.m.)
6. South Bronx (5-2) (6)
The first half of the regular season was about proving it belongs. The second half is about turning a nice story into something very different: A memorable one. Despite two league losses, South Bronx is in position to win its first division title in over a decade. The task begins Monday against rival Clinton.
Next: @ DeWitt Clinton (May 2, 4 p.m.)
7. Beacon (6-1) (7)
The Blue Demons failed to finish off George Washington last Wednesday, seeing a 4-1 lead go up in smoke. It nevertheless showed Beacon’s potential, on the mound and at the plate. It outplayed the high-powered Trojans, just didn’t make the necessarily plays in the field. The Manhattan school will be a force come playoff time.
Next: Norman Thomas (May 2, 4 p.m.)
8. William Bryant (6-0) (8)
There was no post Monroe Tournament hangover for the Owls, who beat Queens A East foe Forest Hills, 5-3, on Saturday behind two RBIs from Darlyn Valdez and two runs scored from Charlie Moronta. Bryant has its sights set on a two-game showdown against rival John Adams next week, but Rocco Rotondi’s club better not overlook Long Island City, which has won four in a row after an 0-3 start.
Next: @ Bayside (May 2, 4 p.m.)
9. John Adams (7-0) (9)
Queens has a host of talented players, from Long Island City’s Edwin Saez to Bryant twins Nick and Chris Alvarez and Cardozo left-hander Adrian Castano. The best of them all – in our esteemed opinion – is John Adams pitcher/shortstop Jeffrey Valera. The junior, selected as a preseason All-American honorable mention by Collegiate Baseball, leads Queens A West with 16 RBIs, a .481 batting average and two homers.
Next: @ Forest Hills (May 2, 4:30 p.m.)
10. Telecommunications (5-3) (10)
Telecom and staff ace Chris Lee mirror each other. Neither gets much recognition citywide, despite their continued progress. Lee took the loss, his first in league play this year, on Friday in a 5-4 setback to top-ranked Grand Street Campus. He allowed just two earned runs on eight hits for the Yellow Jackets, who remain hot on the heels of Brooklyn A West leader Fort Hamilton.
Next: Lafayette (May 3, 4 p.m.) ‘
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Cardozo (7-0), Fort Hamilton (6-2), James Madison (6-1), Lane (6-2), McKee/Staten Island Tech (6-3), Morris (4-2) and Norman Thomas (6-2)