Poly Prep and Andrew Zapata did it again.
The junior right-hander, who has a bevy of top Division I schools pursuing him, tossed a gem against Fieldston and Matt Coposio got all the big hits to lead Poly Prep to a second straight NYSAISAA title Wednesday. The Blue Devils have emerged not just as a private school power, but also as one of the best teams in the city.
This year is looking a little bit like last year in the CHSAA. Xaverian beat St. Raymond, 12-0 in five innings, on Sunday to earn the top seed in the championship round of the playoffs, the same way the Clippers did in 2011 when they won the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title. St. Raymond will be No. 2, Moore Catholic 3 and Fordham Prep 4.
For much, much more, read below:
1. Xaverian (18-1) (Last week: 1)
Julian Lanfranco has been the sparkplug all season and he was again Sunday with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 12-0, five-inning rout of St. Raymond. The victory gave Xaverian the No. 1 seed in the playoffs – same as last year. And we all know what happened then: the Clippers won the CHSAA city title.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
2. Poly Prep (20-4) (3)
For a second straight year, Andrew Zapata tossed a one-hit, complete-game in the NYSAISAA final, leading Poly Prep to the crown. The highly recruited junior was brilliant in a 4-2 win over Fieldston, striking out 12. Look for Zapata and Poly Prep to reign supreme again next spring, as not only does the hard-throwing right-hander return, but so do Phil Maldari and Morgan Gray, the other members of the Blue Devils’ impressive rotation.
Next: Season complete
3. St. Raymond (13-5) (6)
Anthony Colon was tremendous Wednesday, pitching St. Raymond past Moore Catholic in the seeding tournament. The Ravens broke down on the mound against Xaverian on Sunday, though, and have to settle for the No. 2 spot in the playoffs. Brian Paulino and Adam DeLaCruz combined for nine walks during the rough afternoon.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
4. Moore Catholic (13-3) (3)
John Baggs gave up just two runs in five innings and Chris Wolf came up with a big two-run double to lead Moore to a 5-2, seeding-round win over Fordham Prep on Sunday. The Mavericks earned the No. 3 spot in the CHSAA championship round. They’ll get started on Wednesday against a best-of-three series winner.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
5. St. Joseph by the Sea (12-3) (4)
Brian Russell and Chris Falcone will both be ready Monday for a third-round, best-of-three series doubleheader at St. John’s against Monsignor Farrell. The Vikings have a huge advantage because of the dominance and full rest of their top two starters. And their deep lineup isn’t too bad either.
Next: Monsignor Farrell, CHSAA third round Game 1 (May 28, 10 a.m. @ St. John’s University)
6. Fordham Prep (13-7) (7)
The Rams got the game they needed Friday against Iona Prep in a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester first-place tiebreaker. That put them in the seeding round, avoiding the dreaded third-round best-of-three series. Fordham lost both games this weekend in seeding, though, and will be No. 4 in the championship round.
Next: TBA, CHSAA championship round (May 30, TBA @ TBA)
7. Iona Prep (12-6) (5)
The Gaels kicked the ball around and spoiled a decent start by Temple-bound Tim McCarthy in a CHSAA Bronx/Westchester first-place tiebreaker Friday against Fordham Prep. Iona eventually lost, 9-1, and will have a tougher road in the playoffs. Fred Gallo’s team meets Cardinal Spellman in a best-of-three series starting Monday.
Next: Cardinal Spellman, CHSAA third round Game 1 (May 28, 4 p.m. @ Fordham University)
8. Fieldston (16-4) (8)
It was the best season in recent memory for Fieldston, even if it ended in defeat. The Eagles beat rival Poly Prep once, finished second in the Ivy Prep League and reached the NYSAISAA championship game for the first time in program history. As coach Tony Marro said after the finals loss to Poly Prep, the bar has been raised at The Bronx school.
Next: Season complete
9. Archbishop Molloy (11-6) (8)
The Stanners finished the regular season red hot and getting back Evansville-bound slugger/pitcher Jonathan Ramon was a big part of their surge. Molloy will play the rest of the season without injured Frank Peperone (leg), though. Pitching is the key in the postseason and the Queens club does have the depth to make a run.
Next: Holy Cross, CHSAA third round Game 1 (May 28, 4 p.m.)
10. All Hallows (9-7) (10)
The Gaels did just enough to finish second in CHSAA Bronx/Manhattan and earned a berth directly into a third-round, best-of-three series. All Hallows should have its pitching, led by Jason Reyes and Joe Morel all set, against St. Francis Prep. Stephen Alemais and Lance Montano make up a tough middle of the order.
Next: St. Francis Prep, CHSAA third round Game 1 (May 28, 10 a.m. @ Fordham University)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: St. Francis Prep (12-6), Monsignor Farrell (8-8), Holy Cross (10-8), Horace Mann (11-9), Cardinal Spellman (9-8), Berkeley Carroll (17-4), Bishop Ford (10-8) and St. Ann’s (10-7)
