CHSAA baseball rankings
It’s not even Easter yet and the CHSAA baseball rankings are in complete disarray. No team remains in the same spot as last week and there were a few big gainers, like No. 3 Monsignor Farrell, which moved up five spots and All Hallows, which entered the rankings at No. 7.
And there were a few who nose-dived, like St. Joseph by the Sea, which was bounced from No. 1 to No. 5 and Archbishop Stepinac, which is out of the top 10 after being No. 7 last week.
And, oh yeah, there’s a new No. 1 as Xaverian takes over the top spot.
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. Xaverian (5-0) (Last week: 2)
The Clippers move atop the rankings thanks to tight victories against Christ the King and Bishop Ford coupled with St. Joseph by the Sea’s stunning home loss against archrival Monsignor Farrell. Xaverian spent much of the early season blowing teams out. Now, Lou Piccola’s squad is proving it can win the tight games, as well.
Next: @ No. 4 Archbishop Molloy (April 18, 4 p.m.)
2. Xavier (3-0) (3)
The Knights remain undefeated and atop Bronx-Manhattan Class AA after a lopsided 11-1 win against LaSalle, which was followed by a 5-3 win at Ferris (N.J.) Saturday morning. Xavier’s expected division clash against All Hallows Sunday was washed out, but a big game against St. Raymond is on the horizon Monday.
Next: No. 6 St. Raymond (April 18, 4 p.m.)
3. Monsignor Farrell (4-0) (8)
The Lions might have shocked the city with a 6-0 victory against defending Class AA intersectional champion St. Joseph by the Sea, but Mike Viegas and Nick Thorgersen expect to be among the league’s elite. Farrell is sitting atop the Staten Island division, no doubt getting the attention of the rest of the CHSAA.
Next: @ St. Peter’s (April 19, 4 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (5-0) (10)
The Stanners remain undefeated after wins over Bishop Ford, Holy Cross and St. Edmund Prep last week. The naysayers will claim Jack Curran’s team hasn’t played anyone just yet, but that changes this week with Brooklyn/Queens clashes against Xaverian and St. Francis Prep coming up.
Next: No. 1. Xaverian (April 18, 4 p.m.)
5. St. Joseph by the Sea (3-1) (1)
The Vikings found out the stark reality that repeating as city champions will not be easy, losing to Monsignor Farrell at home Thursday, 6-0. Sea didn’t match its rivals intensity, made uncharacteristic and costly errors, both mentally and physically. A day later, though, the Vikings bounced back against St. Peter’s, beating the Eagles, 9-3.
Next: @ No. 8 Moore Catholic (April 19, 4 p.m.)
6. St. Raymond (3-1) (4)
It was a week of mixed results for St. Raymond, which was upset by Cardinal Hayes Friday afternoon before taking out its frustrations on reeling Regis, pounding out a 19-6 victory Saturday. Manny Rivera hit a two-run home run that terrorized cars on the nearby Hutch and Freddy Gonzalez silenced the Raiders bats.
Next: @ No. 2 Xavier (April 18, 4 p.m.)
7. All Hallows (4-1) (NR)
The Gaels deservedly break back into the rankings with impressive wins against Fordham Prep and Regis and ace James Norwood wasn’t on the mound for either victory. The St. Louis-bound senior was slated to pitch against Xavier Sunday, but the game was postponed. A huge challenge awaits as the defending Class AA intersectional champion St. Joseph by the Sea comes to The Bronx.
Next: No. 5 St. Joseph by the Sea (April 26, 4 p.m.)
8. Moore Catholic (2-2) (6)
The Mavericks defeated St. Peter’s on Thursday and then suffered a 5-4 loss to Farrell in nine innings Saturday. Moore proved it is very much in the battle for the Staten Island division title and can take another step forward Tuesday against No. 5 St. Joseph by the Sea.
Next: No. 5 St. Joseph by the Sea (April 19, 4 p.m.)
9. Fordham Prep (2-2) (5)
The Rams bounced back from a difficult loss to surging All Hallows by pounding Mount St. Michael, 13-0, on Friday. Vinny Capone paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs while Jack Sexton was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Elio Fernandez tossed a two-hit shutout.
Next: @ Archbishop Stepinac (April 18, 4 p.m.)
10. St. Francis Prep (3-2) (9)
The Terriers aren’t interested in moral victories, even this early in the season. But St. Francis Prep proved it is a team that has the ability to compete for the Brooklyn/Queens division title with a 2-1 loss to Xaverian in Bay Ridge Saturday. That came after a win against St. Edmund Prep. Rival Molloy is on the horizon, but first up is battle with Christ the King at Juniper Park Monday.
Next: @ Christ the King (April 18, 4 p.m.)
New: All Hallows (4-1)
Dropped out: Archbishop Stepinac (3-2)
On the bubble: Archbishop Stepinac (3-2), Bishop Ford (2-2), Cardinal Hayes (2-2) and Iona Prep (1-1).
