Another week, more wholesale changes in our CHSAA baseball rankings. For a third straight week, we have a different No. 1 as Monsignor Farrell, the lone undefeated team in league play, replaces Xaverian, which lost to Archbishop Molloy.
No team’s ranking is the same as it was last week and one – Iona Prep – debuts at No. 4, while St. Francis Prep is knocked out of the top 10 following a 10-inning loss to Bishop Ford.
Is your alma mater in our rankings? Find out below.
1. Monsignor Farrell (6-0) (Last week: 3)
The Lions first moved atop the Staten Island standings and now sit atop the CHSAA rankings. Bob Mulligan’s squad is the lone undefeated team remaining in the league after beating St. Peter’s and Xavier last week. Farrell is getting timely hits, stellar pitching and flawless defense. But are they peaking too soon?
Next: @ No. 9 St. Raymond (April 27, 4 p.m.)
2. Archbishop Molloy (7-1) (4)
The Stanners wanted to prove their quick start wasn’t a fluke and then they went out and defeated Xaverian, last week’s No. 1, at home on Monday, an impressive victory at Stanner Field. However, Molloy turned around two days later and suffered a 7-2 loss to rival St. Francis Prep before bouncing back against Christ the King on Thursday.
Next: Bishop Ford (April 27, 2 p.m.)
3. Xaverian (7-1) (1)
Is it the jinx of the No. 1 ranking in the CHSAA rankings? Maybe, or maybe the Clippers just did a bad job matching Molloy’s intensity Monday in a 5-4 loss. Star catcher Elvin Soto said it was a good loss, one that would wake his team up and it appears that much was evident as Xaverian responded with back-to-back blowout wins against Monsignor McClancy and Holy Cross.
Next: @ Christ the King (April 27, 4 p.m.)
4. Iona Prep (5-1) (NR)
The Gaels did nothing but win last week, defeating Salesian, St. Raymond and LaSalle on consecutive days to move into first place in the Bronx/Westchester division and into our CHSAA rankings at No. 4. This week won’t be easy for Fred Gallo’s squad, beginning Tuesday against No. 8 Xavier and featuring unranked Regis and Cardinal Hayes.
Next: No. 8 Xavier (April 26, Noon)
5. All Hallows (4-1) (7)
What a week for All Hallows, which didn’t step on the field once and move up two spots in these rankings. The rested Gaels, though, will be challenged this week beginning with the much-anticipated, Monday morning clash with No. 8 Xavier with ace James Norwood on the mound. It’s then No. 7 St. Joseph by the Sea on Tuesday and Mount on Wednesday.
Next: No. 8 Xavier (April 25, 9 a.m.)
6. Moore Catholic (3-2) (8)
Moore suffered a pair of agonizing losses to Monsignor Farrell and St. Joseph by the Sea early in the season. But the Mavericks picked up a huge win on Tuesday, exacting revenge against the Vikings, 1-0, at Richmond County Youth Complex. The hero was Matt Kostalos, who struck out 13 in a complete-game, one-hitter.
Next: No. 10 Fordham Prep (April 27, Noon)
7. St. Joseph by the Sea (4-2) (5)
A loss to Monsignor Farrell could have been written off as just one of those games against an archrival, albeit at home. But the Vikings suffered a second consecutive loss to a Staten Island foe on Tuesday with a 1-0 defeat by Moore Catholic. However, coach Gordon Rugg tweaked his lineup and it paid dividends with a 7-2 rout of No. 9 St. Raymond on Wednesday.
Next: @ No. 6 All Hallows (April 26, 3 p.m.)
8. Xavier (3-2) (2)
A tough week for Xavier, which includied losses to St. Raymond and Monsignor Farrell, and was made even worse by ace Nick DiLeo leaving Wednesday’s start against the Lions after one inning because of what he called a “dead arm.” The timing was far from ideal with four games in five days, beginning with a clash against No. 5 All Hallows Monday morning, followed by No. 4 Iona Prep Tuesday and No. 7 Sea on Wednesday.
Next: @ No. 5 All Hallows (April 25, 9 a.m.)
9. St. Raymond (4-3) (6)
It’s rare that Monday is a highlight of any week, but that was the case for St. Raymond, which beat division foe Xavier, 2-1. It was all downhill from there for Marc DeLuca’s squad with back-to-back losses to Iona Prep and St. Joseph by the Sea. The Ravens hope to bounce back against Salesian at home Tuesday before meeting No. 1 Monsignor Farrell at Raven Field Wednesday.
Next: Salesian (April 26, 4 p.m.)
10. Fordham Prep (3-2) (9)
The Rams picked up a big division win against Archbishop Stepinac, beating the Crusaders, 3-2, on Monday in White Plains and had the rest of the week off. Fordham Prep jumps right back into action Monday against Cardinal Hayes before heading to Staten Island to meet No. 6 Moore Catholic Tuesday, Spellman on Thursday and No. 9 St. Raymond Friday.
Next: Cardinal Hayes (April 25, 3:45 p.m.)
New: Iona Prep (5-1)
Dropped out: St. Francis Prep (5-3)
On the bubble: Archbishop Stepinac (3-3), Bishop Ford (3-3), Cardinal Hayes (4-2) and St. Francis Prep (5-3)