NYPost.com PSAL softball beat writer Marc Raimondi breaks down the Class A quarterfinals, scheduled for Monday at home sites.
SCHEDULE
3:30 p.m. – No. 4 Construction vs. No. 12 Clinton @ Smokey Oval Park
4 p.m. – No. 8 Bryant @ No. 1 Tottenville
4 p.m. – No. 2 Susan Wagner vs. No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech @ Great Kills LL
4 p.m. – No. 6 Francis Lewis @ No. 3 James Madison
No. 1 Tottenville Pirates
Head coach: Cathy Morano
Record: 19-0
Player to watch: Nylah Ramirez
No. 8 Bryant Owls
Head coach: Wally Hausdorf
Record: 15-3
Player to watch: Tiffany Zecena
Outlook: Tottenville will get a step up in competition in the form of Bryant on Monday. The Pirates have won easily in the first two rounds, led by the pitching of Cheryl Lopez and have proven throughout the season they can still mash despite an assortment of young players. Jillian Regan and Nylah Ramirez highlight perhaps the best slugging batting order in New York City.
Bryant can hit a little bit, too, led by Ashley Torres Littwin, Sarah Temkin and Gabrielle Faustino. But the key for the Owls comes in the circle. Tiffany Zecena has been simply superb thus far in the playoffs and is finding her stride at exactly the right time. Seeded lower than it should have been, Bryant could be a dangerous team here for the top seed.
No. 2 Susan Wagner Falcons
Head coach: Marco Altieri
Record: 16-2
Player to watch: Kristine Ciurcina
No. 10 McKee/Staten Island Tech
Head coach: Jessica Ragucci
Record: 14-4
Player to watch: Blayse Halvorsen
Outlook: Wagner might as well just call the playoffs the Staten Island Invitational. The Falcons have already defeated fourth-place New Dorp in the second round and now get third-place McKee/Staten Island Tech in the quarterfinals. They’ll likely have to go through Tottenville to win the city title, too. With Taylor Sarcone on the mound and in the middle of the lineup, that’s a possibility.
MSIT feels it can do some damage too – and already has, knocking off No. 7 Bayside in a second-round pseudo-upset. Blayse Halvorsen gets it done with both her arm and bat and freshmen Christina Rubin and Demetria Thaten are excellent. Look out for the seniors, though, wily veterans Arianna Kee and Amanda Mondello to come up big in this one.
No. 3 James Madison Knights
Head coach: Brian Friedman
Record: 16-2
Player to watch: Gina Gerone
No. 6 Francis Lewis Patriots
Head coach: Bryan Brown
Record: 15-3
Player to watch: Priscilla Lallave
Outlook: The last time these two teams met, Madison blew a lead in the seventh inning en route to a loss and that has to be weighing on the Knights’ minds. St. Francis Prep transfer Victoria Slavik has been a boon in her first year in black and yellow and Gina Gerone is Gina Gerone – simply one of the best athletes in the city. Cheyenne Tatesure has come into her own and should pitch well here.
The same can be said of Lewis ace Priscilla Lallave, who is having a fantastic postseason. Expect a pitcher’s duel – unlike the first meeting. The Patriots have already proven they were the best team in PSAL Queens A-I after all – they’re the only one still standing – and now they have a chance to make a second straight semifinals. Bianca Concepcion needs to have a big game with her bat and glove.
No. 4 Construction Red Hawks
Head coach: Marco Migliaccio
Record: 17-1
Player to watch: Kailan Luciano
No. 12 Clinton Governors
Head coach: Rich Eaton
Record: 12-6
Player to watch: Maguette Fofana
Outlook: Construction comes into these playoffs without arguably its two best hitters Alicia Gonzalez (left the team) and Linda McKernan (knee), but the Red Hawks still have Britney Rodriguez, one of the best pitchers in the city despite being just a sophomore. They also still have some pop in their lineup, led by Kailan Luciano and Amy Pirozek, who both have playoff experience.
Clinton coach Rich Eaton has said it all year – his team can compete with anyone provided ace Maguette Fofana throws strikes. The Governors stunned Cardozo, 3-1, on Friday with the junior windmiller tossing the best game of her career. She’ll need to duplicate that performance Monday, Alondra Soroa has to get on base and Kimberly Martinez needs to drive in runs to be successful.
