The playoffs are finally upon us, or are they? Last week’s punishing rains resulted in more postponed games than played and pushed the regular season into dates previously reserved for the postseason.
While all four Class AA division titles have been decided – Monsignor Farrell, Xaverian, Iona Prep and All Hallows – a multitude of playoff berths are still to be determined, as long as Mother Nature cooperates.
Here’s our CHSAA top 10. Study it and commit it to memory. It’s sure to change next week.
1. Monsignor Farrell (14-0) (Last week: 1)
The Lions didn’t need to win; after all the Staten Island title has been clinched and they’re assured of at least one home game in the upcoming seeding round. But Farrell is undefeated, wants to stay that way and showed that fight in an 11-inning win against Moore Catholic Sunday it showed all season long.
Next: @ St. Peter’s (May 24, 4 p.m.)
2. Xaverian (15-2) (2)
The Clippers clinched the Brooklyn/Queens division title with a resounding win against rival Bishop Ford, avenging a road loss earlier this year. Xaverian then closed out the regular season with a 14-1 blowout of Holy Cross with Kevin Martir hitting a three-run home run and a grand slam, driving in seven RBIs.
Next: TBA @ Seeding round (May 26, TBA)
3. St. Joseph by the Sea (10-4) (3)
Sea took care of business in a big way Sunday, thrashing lowly LaSalle by almost two touchdowns. That sets the table for an epic clash with No. 6 Moore Catholic scheduled for Tuesday in Huguenot. But the game was also scheduled for Monday and last week a few times before being washed out.
Next: No. 6 Moore Catholic (May 24, 4 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (13-4) (4)
The Stanners shook off some rust and overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat Monsignor McClancy, 4-3, Sunday afternoon in a regular-season finale in East Elmhurst. The win was important because it likely gives Molloy a favorable seed – probably No. 5 or 6 – in the qualifying tournament.
Next: TBA @ Intersectional qualifying series, Game 1 (May 28, TBA)
5. All Hallows (12-5) (5)
After clinching the Bronx/Manhattan division title, the Gaels aren’t exactly closing out the regular season the right way. All Hallows lost to Cardinal Hayes Sunday and Cardinal Spellman last week. Meaningless games? Not when there’s still seeding to play for.
Next: @ St. Raymond (May 25, 4 p.m.)
6. Moore Catholic (9-5) (6)
They’re not looking for sympathy, but you have to feel for the Mavericks. Three of their five losses have come to No. 1 Monsignor Farrell and Moore had an excellent chance to win each game, including Sunday’s 5-4, 11-inning loss at Richmond County Youth Complex. Nick Doscher’s squad will have to put that tough loss behind them with a pivotal second-place clash at Sea on the horizon.
Next: @ No. 3 St. Joseph by the Sea (May 24, 4 p.m.)
7. Iona Prep (13-4) (7)
For the first time since 2007, Iona Prep can lay claim to the Bronx/Westchester division title and clinched it in style, beating archrival Fordham Prep, 1-0, at Coffey Field. Justin Muratore delivered the all-important two-out, run-scoring hit and Rob Ambrosino and Tim McCarthy were lights out on the mound for the Gaels.
Next: @ Mount St. Michael (May 24, 4 p.m.)
8. Fordham Prep (12-6) (8)
The Rams could have forced a tiebreaking game against Iona Prep if they could’ve found a way to manufacture a few runs Sunday. That’s the bad news. The good news is Fordham Prep is very much a player in the upcoming playoffs, especially with Seton Hall-bound slugger Sal Annunziata back.
Next: TBA @ Intersectional qualifying series, Game 1 (May 28, TBA)
9. Xavier (11-7)
The Knights clinched second place in the Bronx/Manhattan division with an impressive 8-0 rout of Cardinal Hayes Monday in Red Hook. Sean Meekins pitched a three-hit gem and Kenny Sumsky had a pair of hits and three RBIs for Xavier, which has exploded for 37 runs in four straight victories.
Next: TBA @ Intersectional qualifying series, Game 1 (May 28, TBA)
10. Archbishop Stepinac (10-8) (10)
Stepinac’s three-year reign atop Bronx/Westchester has come to an end as Iona Prep won the division Sunday afternoon. The Crusaders had an outside shot at finishing second, but that went out the window with a surprising loss to Salesian on Friday. However, Stepinac bounced back to blast LaSalle on Sunday, 7-1, and finish in third.
Next: TBA @ Intersectional qualifying second round (May 27, TBA)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Cardinal Hayes (9-9), Monsignor McClancy (8-8), St. Francis Prep (9-8) and St. Raymond (8-8)