CHSAA baseball rankings
History was made on Saturday as St. Joseph by the Sea defeated Xavier to win its first CHSAA Class A intersectional championship. The Vikings also solidified their spot as the No. 1 team in the final CHSAA baseball rankings of the season.
Xavier’s run to its first championship game pushed the Knights in front of St. Raymond to No. 2, while the Ravens, which enjoyed their deepest postseason run in years, finished third.
How do the rest of The Post’s final CHSAA baseball rankings look? Find out below.
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (19-3) (Last week: 1)
Less than 17 hours after a tough, nine-inning loss to Xavier with Nick Pavia on the mound, Sea captured its first varsity baseball title, just eight days after the junior varsity team did the same at Kaiser Stadium. While the Vikings will miss Pavia, catcher Joe Stabach, shortstop Chris Ramanauskas and the rest of the never-say-die senior class, the future at Sea looks very bright. Vin Garcia and Matt Bowers return and junior varsity standouts Frank Muraca, Nick Gonchar and Vin Yodice move up next year.
Next: Season complete
2. Xavier (18-8) (3)
The Knights appeared to have the momentum after a 3-1, extra-inning win Friday night against Sea and its ace Pavia. But sophomore Nick DiLeo, who should be Xavier’s top pitcher next season, suffered a wrist injury and wasn’t able to go. We’ll never know what might have been if DiLeo pitched and the Xavier defense was at full strength. What we do know is that the Knights will have a very good chance of returning to St. John’s next year with all but four players back.
Next: Season complete
3. St. Raymond (17-8) (2)
The Ravens ran into a buzz saw in DiLeo, who was a strike away from tossing a no-hitter in the Class A intersectional semifinals Tuesday night. St. Ray’s season and the high-school careers of Ricky Eusebio, Joe Tellez and Luis Paniagua ended with the 2-0 loss, the Ravens return talented juniors Manny Rivera, James Santiago and Jon Crucey. More importantly, though, legendary coach Ron Patnosh has retired after 45 seasons.
Next: Season complete
4. Xaverian (19-3) (4)
The Clippers should also be a team to watch next year with Arizona-bound catcher Elvin Soto, Kevin Martir, Antonio Nunez, Eric Kalman and Skyler Ortiz — or in other words their entire starting infield — returning next year. Frank Scudiero is the top returning pitcher, but it remains to be seen how deep the Xaverian pitching staff will be.
Next: Season complete
5. Bishop Ford (15-7) (5)
The Falcons have improved every year since Mike Hanrahan became coach and this year was no different with Ford enjoying its deepest postseason run in 15 years. But will the Falcons take another step next year? It won’t be easy with just three starters, Jonathan Pineiro, Andrew King and Manny Torres, back.
Next: Season complete
6. Monsignor Farrell (13-7) (6)
The stellar pitching staff was senior-laden and Gary Boardman and Nick Del Prete will also be sorely missed, but speedy center fielder Mike Viegas will be among the top players on the Island next year and he’ll be joined by Nick Mattera, who was one of the most improved players on the Lions, as the top returnees.
Next: Season complete
7. St. Francis Prep (13-8) (7)
The Terriers had a down year by their standards and should also be bouncing back next spring. Freshman Taso Stathopoulos received a lot of experience on the mound and should no doubt be a pivotal part of the pitching staff, while standout catcher Chris Cannon will likely have a big year after missing his junior year following Tommy John surgery.
Next: Season compete
8. Moore Catholic (10-9) (8)
Sea joined Moore as the only teams from Staten Island to win the Class A intersectional title on Saturday, and next year the Mavericks should compete with the Vikings for the Island division title. Sophomore starters John Baggs, Joe Todaro, Adam Skjeie and freshman leadoff hitter Matt DiOrio will be a year older. Baggs, Dom Casella and Anthony Lobello should anchor a quality pitching staff.
Next: Season complete
9. All Hallows (12-9) (9)
While the CHSAA had a senior-heavy crop of stud pitchers, James Norwood made a name for himself as an elite junior and should be one of the league’s best come next spring. He’s complimented well by Jason Perez, who started as a sophomore in center field and on the mound.
Next: Season complete
10. Fordham Prep (13-8) (10)
The Rams should once again contend, if not be the favorite, to claim the Bronx/Westchester title next year. Sal Annunziata has given pitchers fits for two years on the varsity and should once again be one of the top hitters around and sophomore pitchers Andrew Pucillo and Matt DiLecce will be a tough 1-2 combination next year.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (10-8), Regis (10-9) and Monsignor McClancy (10-9)
