Now things are starting to get interesting.
We promised parity at the beginning of the season and that is starting to shine through – even though the sun still hasn’t. The bottom of the rankings has been in flux from the very beginning and the entire top 10 is at stake this week with Tottenville and Construction both playing Susan Wagner.
The top teams will all be jockeying for seeding with the playoffs still a month away. We’ll be watching with curiosity. Here’s how the ever-changing rankings look this week:
1. Tottenville (5-0) (Last week: 1)
The Pirates just cannot seem to avoid rain on days of big games. Like two previous attempts to play Susan Wagner, Friday’s game against James Madison was a wash out. Other than that, though, things have been going great for Tottenville, which is putting up crooked numbers against everyone so far. Victoria McFarland and Nicole Palase have been mashing.
Next: @ Petrides (April 14, 4 p.m.)
2. James Madison (2-0) (2)
Friday’s game rematch of last year’s PSAL Class A city title game against Tottenville was rained out and the two powerhouses will attempt to reschedule. But the Knights could have their hands full Monday against upstart Environmental Studies. The defending champs have played just two league games thus far due to inclement weather.
Next: No. 9 Environmental Studies (April 11, 4 p.m.)
3. Susan Wagner (6-0) (3)
Without exaggeration, Wagner’s game Monday against Construction could be one of the biggest of the regular season. The winner could theoretically be seeded No. 3 in the Class A playoffs, which would keep that team out of likely top-seed Tottenville’s bracket until the championship game. The Falcons have been swinging well, but their defense is a work in progress.
Next: No. 4 Construction (April 11, 4 p.m. @ Smokey Oval Park)
4. Construction (5-0) (4)
The Red Hawks made a major statement last week by run-ruling Bayside, 11-1. The Commodores have been the class of Queens for more than a decade and Construction is in just its fourth varsity season. That the squad is among the PSAL’s elite already is a remarkable accomplishment and a win Monday over Wagner would be the biggest in program history.
Next: No. 3 Susan Wagner (April 11, 4 p.m. @ Smokey Oval Park)
5. Francis Lewis (6-0) (6)
The Patriots rebounded from a non-league loss to Clinton and a bad inning versus Bayside to beat Cardozo and Port Richmond in important PSAL contests last week. Lewis’ key this season is to limit mistakes. Windmiller Priscilla Lallave is not going to blow people away and the lineup is not rife with power hitters. Bryan Brown’s squad will go as its defense does.
Next: @ Bayside (April 13, 4:30 p.m.)
6. InTech Academy (6-0) (9)
Upstart InTech continues to climb the rankings. The Panthers, who are in just their third varsity season, had a big win over LaGuardia and ace Alex Sappington on Friday and still have not lost a league game in their first ‘A’ season. Ace Yariel Acevedo is steady and InTech doesn’t make many mistakes in the field. Those two things can take the squad a long way.
Next: Grand Street Campus (April 11, 4 p.m.)
7. McKee/Staten Island Tech (4-2) (NR)
The Sea Gulls have emerged as the third-best team on Staten Island after beating Port Richmond and falling to Susan Wagner, 9-6, last week. Freshman windmiller Blayse Halvorsen has pitched well against all but Tottenville and Wagner and Sophia Palumbo and Arianna Kee are swinging hot bats. MSIT is looking to take its rightful place among Staten Island’s elite teams.
Next: Hunter College HS (April 11, 4 p.m.)
8. Port Richmond (3-3) (5)
All three of Port Richmond’s losses have come against Tottenville, Francis Lewis and McKee/Staten Island, so for now the Red Raiders will hang on in the rankings. Staten Island is still the best softball borough in the city and PR was right there against Francis Lewis in a 4-2 loss Friday. Look for a good latter half of the season for Brenda Lee’s club.
Next: Stuyvesant (April 11, 4 p.m. @ East River Park)
9. Environmental Studies (5-1) (7)
It’s hard to figure out Environmental Studies so far. The Eagles started the season with good wins over LaGuardia and Stuyvesant, but then fell to unheralded Manhattan Center. They did rebound with a victory Friday against Clinton, so they keep their spot in the rankings this week. Monday’s game with defending champ Madison will be a good litmus test.
Next: No. 2 James Madison (April 11, 4 p.m. @ Central Park)
10. Clinton (3-2) (10)
If Clinton ever finds some consistency, it could be trouble. The Governors are still up and down, though, after falling to Environmental Studies on Friday. Coach Rich Eaton’s club beat Francis Lewis in a non-league game last weekend and that is keeping it hanging on in the rankings right now. The Govs need to take care of business this week to stay here.
Next: Townsend Harris (April 11, 4 p.m.)
New: McKee/Staten Island Tech (4-2)
Dropped out: Bryant (3-1)
On the bubble: Manhattan Center (3-1), Riverdale/Kingsbridge (4-2), Cardozo (3-3), Bryant (3-1), Fort Hamilton (3-1), LaGuardia (4-2) and Petrides (3-3)