Sports

PSAL softball rankings

Outside of the top teams, this PSAL softball season is already shaping up to be unpredictable.

Francis Lewis got off to a hot start with four wins, including one over Cardozo, before a non-league loss Saturday to Clinton. Cardozo, meanwhile, beat Bayside, a team that was leading Lewis, 3-2, last week in a suspended game. Environmental Studies and InTech Academy are two burgeoning programs from unheralded boroughs that could make some noise.

It’s all here in the latest installment of the PSAL rankings:

1. Tottenville (3-0) (Last week: 1)

The Pirates started the season slugging this week, beating league opponent by a combined score of 53-1. Their game Friday against Susan Wagner was postponed – again – for inclement weather. No surprise there. Notre Dame Academy transfer Cheryl Lopez twirled a no-hitter against Port Richmond.

Next: @ Curtis (April 4, 4 p.m.)

2. James Madison (2-0) (2)

Madison’s league slate started off as expected with a pair of blowout victories. The Knights will test themselves in a big non-league game Monday against St. Joseph by the Sea, the best team in the CHSAA. Then coach Jeff Meltzer’s team will cap the week Friday with a league game against Tottenville in a rematch of the last two PSAL city title games.

Next: New Utrecht (April 6, 4 p.m.)

3. Susan Wagner (3-0) (3)

Falcons coach Marco Altieri joked over the weekend that if any area of the country is in a drought all they need to do is scheduled a game between his team and Tottenville. In the last three years, not one of their games has been played when it was regularly scheduled and another postponement occurred Friday. Wagner looks once again to be the second best team on the Island.

Next: @ CSI/McCown (April 4, 4 p.m.)

4. Construction (4-0) (4)

Early-season injuries have done nothing to derail Construction’s high hopes. Freshman ace Britney Rodriguez has been pitching with a broken finger and she hasn’t lost a step. Monday will be a big test for the budding Red Hawks. Bayside, a team that has been a powerhouse in Queens for a long time, will be across the field in a league game.

Next: @ Bayside (April 4, 4 p.m.)

5. Port Richmond (3-1) (6)

The Red Raiders began the year with three impressive routs, marking themselves as a certain contender on Staten Island. Then they traveled down to Tottenville and Cheryl Lopez no-hit them. Regardless of that result, Port Richmond is in the mix with Susan Wagner for second place in the league. And any team that close to first on SI is one of the PSAL’s best teams.

Next: @ McKee/Staten Island Tech (April 4, 4 p.m.)

6. Francis Lewis (4-0) (5)

It wasn’t a great couple days for Lewis. The Patriots were down 3-2 after the first inning against Bayside in a game that was suspended due to rain Friday. On Saturday, Clinton came to Fresh Meadows and beat Lewis, 9-6, in a non-league game. Coach Bryan Brown’s team will need to shake its early-season inconsistency this week in games against Cardozo and Port Richmond.

Next: @ Cardozo (April 6, 4:30 p.m.)

7. Environmental Studies (3-0) (10)

The Eagles welcomed PSAL Class B champion LaGuardia to the ‘A’ league last week with an impressive 7-1 win against ace Alex Sappington. The killer instinct that coach Jose Ferrer was worried about showed up in that game. Environmental Studies will need it this week in big games against Manhattan Center and Clinton in a Friday crossover.

Next: Manhattan Center (April 4, 4 p.m. @ Jefferson Park)

8. Bryant (3-0) (8)

Coach Wally Hausdorf has a team built for the future, but the present looks pretty bright as well. Bryant gets a chance to prove that this week with important games against Riverdale/Kingsbridge and division rival Construction. The Owls will be looking for revenge – their lone three league losses last year came against those teams.

Next: Riverdale/Kingsbridge (April 4, 4 p.m.)

9. InTech Academy (4-0) (NR)

The upstart Panthers have taken the ‘A’ league by storm with four routs already in The Bronx. Cerebral senior windmiller Yariel Acevedo pitched a gem Wednesday against Clinton, a team that has won at least a share of six of the last seven Bronx A titles. It doesn’t get easier this week against Bronx Science and fellow ‘B’ league-promoted LaGuardia.

Next: Bronx Science (April 6, 4 p.m. @ Harris Park)

10. Clinton (2-1) (9)

Tayna Pena giveth and she taketh away for Clinton. The senior windmiller had nine walks in a loss Wednesday to InTech, but gave up just one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out nine Saturday in a non-league game against Francis Lewis. That victory is keeping the Governors in the rankings right now – they can’t afford a letdown this week.

Next: Stevenson (April 6, 4 p.m.)

New: InTech Academy (4-0)

Dropped out: Bayside (3-1)

On the bubble: Cardozo (3-1), Bayside (3-1), Bushwick (1-0), LaGuardia (3-1), McKee/Staten Island Tech (2-1) and Manhattan Center (2-0)

mraimondi@nypost.com