NYC softball rankings
The 2012 softball season is drawing to a close.
Three champions will be crowned this week starting with the CHSAA state title. St. Joseph by the Sea, which won its sixth Archdiocesan crown, and four-time defending Brooklyn/Queens champ Archbishop Molloy meet in the semifinals on Tuesday. Staten Island rivals Tottenville and Susan Wagner will determine the PSAL champion a day later. And Horace Mann will try to beat Holy Child for the NYSAISAA crown Tuesday as well.
Also, we welcome Francis Lewis into the rankings at No. 10 fresh off its second straight semifinal appearance.
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. St. Joseph by the Sea (15-0) (Last week: 1)
The Staten Island school was inches away from a second year of heartbreak in the playoffs. Instead, Kristy Colangelo made an amazing diving catch to seal a 1-0 win over Preston in the Archdiocesan final. The Vikings are two wins away from winning their second Catholic state title in three years.
Next: No. 5 Archbishop Molloy, CHSAA state final (May 29, 1:30 p.m.)
2. Tottenville (20-0) (2)
The Pirates are a win away from another PSAL Class A title. Senior left fielder Jillian Guiffre had a big day at the plate and in field in the semifinals. She collected two hits, including a two-run single, in a four-run third inning, and made a running catch in a 9-1 win over Construction on Saturday. Cheryl Lopez was again brilliant, allowing four hits and strikingout eight.
Next: No. 3 Susan Wagner, PSAL Class A final (May 30, 6:30 p.m., @ TBD)
3. Susan Wagner (18-2) (3)
Wagner got over the hump. The Falcons ended their near 25-year drought and reached the PSAL Class A title game with an 11-1, run-rule win over Francis Lewis, which beat them in last year’s quarterfinals. Jamie Sanfilippo’s RBI single in the sixth ended the game, sending coach Marco Altieri to his first final.
Next: No. 2 Tottenville, PSAL Class A final (May 30, 6:30 pm. @ TBD)
4. Preston (15-2) (4)
Panthers coach Rachel Mazza wasn’t extremely upset after her team’s 1-0 loss to St. Joseph by the Sea in the CHSAA Archdiocesan title game. Her young team, which she groomed for such a moment, nearly won the program’s first diocesan crown. Their youth and talent has her excited for the future.
Next: Season complete
5. Archbishop Molloy (13-2) (5)
Like death and taxes, Molloy winning CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens has seemed inevitable the last four years. Star Maria Palmeri took home her fourth crown as the Stanners came from behind twice to beat rival St. Francis Prep. The middle of the order mashed and Victoria Goldbach was brilliant in the circle.
Next: No. 1 St. Joseph by the Sea, CHSAA state semifinals, (May 29, 1:30 p.m. @ Kellemberg)
6. Moore Catholic (9-5) (6)
Gianna DeCesare and Kelly Graham made up one of the best 1-2 punches in the city in the circle for two seasons. The job of Moore ace now falls on Nicole Guzzone. Coach Kristine Knuth showed plenty of confidence in her by using the sophomore against St. Joseph by the Sea and in relief against Preston.
Next: Season complete
7. Construction (18-2) (7)
Construction got off to a flying start against Tottenville in the semifinals, using small ball to score in the first inning. The game turned when the shorthanded Red Hawks couldn’t add another run in the second and eventually fell, 9-1. With ace Brittney Rodriguez back in the circle, expect Construction to be pushing for a third straight trip to the final four.
Next: Season complete
8. St. Francis Prep (9-5) (8)
The Terriers held leads late in both games against Archbishop Molloy on Sunday, but could not hold them. Ace Nicole Lomangino did all she could to will her team to victory, but instead watched the Terriers fall for the fourth straight year in the championship series. SFP is young and coach Ann Marie Rich feels this year was a big step forward for her core.
Next: Season complete
9. Mary Louis (7-6) (9)
Nicole Hubert came into her own this season. The sophomore became one of the city’s most reliable pitchers and a dangerous bat at the plate this spring. With one of TMLA’s best senior classes graduating, Hubert and Samantha Rossi become its two most important players.
Next: Season complete
10. Francis Lewis (16-4) (NR)
Following his team’s quarterfinal win over James Madison, coach Bryan Brown talked about this group of Patriots building their own legacy. They did so with two straight trips to the semifinals, but were denied a berth in the title game by Susan Wagner.
Next: Season complete
New: Francis Lewis (16-4)
Dropped out: McKee/Staten Island Tech (15-5)
On the bubble: McKee/Staten Island Tech (15-5), Fontbonne Hall (6-8), James Madison (13-3), Cardozo (15-3), Bayside (14-4), Fieldston (10-3) and Horace Mann (10-4).
