Things are beginning to get more interesting.
The week belonged to Mary Louis, which picked up wins over rivals St. Francis Prep and Archbishop Molloy. Things just got a whole lot tighter in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens. Over in the Ivy League, Fieldston put its name in the ring for an Ivy League title with a 13-3 pounding of defending champion Horace Mann, behind a big day from Princeton-bound Kate Miller. The Eagles and a much improved St. John Villa team enter the rankings at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively. Top-ranked St. Joseph by the Sea continued to roll beating Molloy.
Check out the rest of the rankings:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (6-0) (Last week: 1)
It took the early-morning wakeup call of a runner being thrown out at the plate to get the Vikings going, but they eventually broke up a 6-2 win over Archbishop Molloy. Alexandra Prescia was one of the heroes by collecting two hits and two RBIs out of the leadoff spot with an injuried pinky. Jackie Cautela struck out eight.
Next: St. Joseph Hill (May 1, 4 p.m.)
2. Moore Catholic (6-1) (2)
This is going to be a big week for the Mavericks, whose bats are again red hot. First they face an improved St. John Villa team, which it beat 12-7 in the last meeting. Thursday bring a rematch with Sea after their second schedule meeting was rained out. Can Moore finally pick up that signature win its been searching for?
Next: @ St. John Villa (May 1, 4 p.m.)
3. Preston (7-0) (3)
The Panthers took their momentum from a win over Molloy and turned them into two lopsided league wins, beating Good Counsel and Spellman by a combined score of 19-0. Julianna Orrico racked up four RBIs on three hits and allowed just three hits to grab the five-inning win in the circle against Good Counsel.
Next: Sacred Heart (May 1, 4:15 p.m.)
4. Archbishop Molloy (7-2) (4)
It hasn’t been an easy season for Molloy. The defending CHSAA state champs lost their second league game when Mary Louis got to freshman Amanda Zeni early and held off the Stanners’ charge late. They scored two early runs against Sea, only to see the bats go quiet the rest of the way.
Next: @ No. 4 St. Francis Prep (April 30, 3:45 p.m)
5. St. Francis Prep (6-3) (5)
SFP can’t seem to build any momentum. The bats exploded in a win over Fontbonne Hall Monday with Kelly Licul and Tara O’Rourke leading the way. They then went silent in a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Mary Louis. The Terriers can rebound in a big way when Molloy visits Monday.
Next: No. 3 Archbishop Molloy (April 30, 3:45 p.m.)
6. Mary Louis (6-5) (7)
TMLA picked just the right time to play its best softball of the season. The Hilltoppers put the rest of CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens on notice heading into the playoffs with wins over St. Francis Prep and Molloy in the same week. Senior Shannon Minihane was the hero against the Stanners with three RBIs including a two-run homer.
Next: Christ the King (April 30, 3:45 p.m.)
7. Fontbonne Hall (5-6) (7)
Coach Frank Marinello’s team has shown it’s a talented up-and-coming squad, but it’s struggled to put up another win against Brooklyn/Queens’ elite teams, falling to Molloy and St. Francis Prep last week before beating CK behind Maria Randazzo’s bat. Fontbonne will needs to win out if it wants to place third.
Next: No. 6 Mary Louis (May 2, 3:45 p.m.)
8. Cardinal Spellman (5-2) (8)
While the Pilots continue to struggle against division-leading Preston they have been dispensing the rest of their foes. They ended the week with a big win over St. Catharine. Victoria Quinones went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, two RBIs and two stolen bases. It was a vintage performance that could mean big things moving forward.
Next: @ Maria Regina (May 1, 4:15 p.m.)
9. Fieldston (5-1) (NR)
Kate Miller is the best position player in New York City and no one outside the Ivy League knows who she is. The Fieldston shortstop will be well known in the college version of the Ivy League next year – she has committed to play at Princeton. Before that, though, the Eagles are off to their best start in awhile, courtesy of a big win over Horace Mann on Wednesday in which Miller actually pitched.
Next: Trinity (April 30, 4:30 p.m. @ Randall’s Island)
10. St. John Villa (3-4) (NR)
Junior windmiller Sevdiana Liharevic is beginning to come into her own in the circle. She threw a one-hitter and allowed just two earned runs in a win over Notre Dame last week. The Bears split two games in Mudville, beating Sacred Heart of Buffalo on a walk off by Mary Curatolo.
Next: No. 2 Moore Catholic (May 1, 4:00 p.m.)
Dropped out: Horace Mann (5-2) and St. Edmund (11-0)
On the bubble: Poly Prep (6-1), Horace Mann (5-2) Notre Dame Academy (2-6) and St. Edmund (11-0)
