PSAL softball rankings
There’s Tottenville. There’s James Madison. And the rest? Well, you can pick them out of a hat.
At least that’s the way things are looking in the PSAL midway through a wild season. Need an example? Construction was riding high off a league win over Susan Wagner on Monday only to fall to then-under .500 Richmond Hill three days later. The Red Hawks aren’t the only team with results like that.
There’s an incredible amount of parity this year and it wouldn’t be surprising to see some unexpected teams making a deep run in the playoffs. Then again, the cream rises to the top. With that said, here’s the PSAL rankings:
1. Tottenville (7-0) (Last week: 1)
Coach Cathy Morano was pleased with how well co-ace Nicole Palase pitched Friday in an 11-1, run-rule win over Susan Wagner. It was 10 days after her last outing, which could end up being a good thing for Tottenville down the road. The Pirates have three pitchers – Palase, Cheryl Lopez and Mary Ryan – who are all capable of winning PSAL games.
Next: No. 5 Susan Wagner (April 27, 4 p.m.)
2. James Madison (3-0) (2)
It seems crazy that Madison has had more games postponed due to rain (five) than actual games played (three), but that’s the situation facing the Knights right now. Coach Jeff Meltzer’s team is going to have to cram nine PSAL Brooklyn A games into a 2-1/2 week stretch before the playoffs begin. One of those games is against Tottenville on May 3.
Next: Bushwick (April 27, 4 p.m.)
3. Francis Lewis (6-0) (5)
Lewis has some flaws on its record – it fell to Clinton in a non-league game three weeks ago. But say this for the Patriots: they have not folded in league play with a pair of wins over Cardozo and another against Port Richmond. With recent losses by Construcion and Wagner, they find themselves No. 3. Though that ranking will be on the line Saturday when Lewis meets Wagner in a non-league game.
Next: @ New Dorp (April 18, 11 a.m.)
4. Construction (7-1) (4)
Talk about an up and down week. Construction started it off Monday with a massive win over powerhouse Susan Wagner only to follow it up with a devastating loss to Richmond Hill on Thursday. The non-league slate is heavy coming up. The Red Hawks play three games at the Mudville Softball tournament Monday and Tuesday before heading to Tottenville for a non-league Thursday.
Next: @ Newtown (April 28, 4:30 p.m.)
5. Susan Wagner (6-2) (3)
Losses this week to Construction and Tottenville showed that Wagner is still a work in progress. But there is hardly reason to pack it in. The Falcons were right with Construction in a 3-0 loss and falling to Tottenville, 11-1, happens to the best of teams. They will try to right the ship this week at the Mudville Softball tournament upstate with a non-league date with Francis Lewis looking Saturday.
Next: @ No. 1 Tottenville (April 27, 4 p.m.)
6. InTech Academy (8-0) (6)
The Panthers were almost unceremoniously ousted from the ranks of the unbeaten Thursday. InTech needed nine innings to beat Riverdale/Kingsbridge, 12-11, and actually trailed 11-10 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Somehow coach Meghan McGourty’s team pulled through, though, and it remains one of the league’s best with the potential of a solid seed still in its grasp.
Next: Stevenson (April 27, 4 p.m. @ Harris Park)
7. McKee/S.I. Tech (7-2) (7)
The Seagulls have won four in a row since falling to Susan Wagner and all of those victories have been routs. Freshman ace Blayse Halvorsen is beginning to come into her own and MSIT is getting hitting from a number of different spots in the lineup. With games remaining against Tottenville, Wagner and InTech, coach Jessica Ragucci’s team has a chance to raise its stock.
Next: New Dorp (April 27, 4 p.m.)
8. Port Richmond (4-3) (8)
PR’s shot against Susan Wagner was rained out Wednesday, so the Red Raiders still have two games remaining against their rival. That means a lot can change between now and the playoffs for Port Richmond, which has only lost to Tottenville, Francis Lewis and McKee/Staten Island Tech.
Next: @ Petrides (April 27, 4 p.m.)
9. Fort Hamilton (5-1) (NR)
No, the Tigers haven’t been winning pretty. They’ve given up nine runs to Lincoln, seven to Grand Street and six to Midwood. But it’s hard to argue with Fort Hamilton’s results. The only team it has lost to has been defending PSAL champion James Madison. Until that changes, there is certainly a spot for coach Grace Grillo’s squad in the rankings.
Next: Midwood (April 27, 4 p.m. @ Marine Park)
10. Cardozo (5-3) (NR)
The Judges have taken care of business against the teams they are supposed to beat and in a season like this, that’s all that matters. Cardozo has beaten Bayside and won a wild, 8-7 game over hard-luck Riverdale/Kingsbridge. The only team remaining that should give Dozo any trouble is Bayside again, so it seems like coach Larry Alberts will have his team getting another pretty high side despite a rebuilding roster.
Next: Van Buren (April 27, 4:30 p.m.)
New: Fort Hamilton (5-1) and Cardozo (5-3)
Dropped out: Environmental Studies (6-3) and Clinton (4-2)
On the bubble: Bryant (6-2), Environmental Studies (6-3), Clinton (4-2), Bayside (4-3), Bushwick (4-2), Newtown (5-3), Manhattan Center (4-2) and Petrides (4-4)
