Xaverian is trying to successfully defend its CHSAA baseball title from a year ago and still has its work cut out for it to repeat.
But the top-seeded Clippers took a step in the right direction yesterday, knocking off No. 3 Xavier, 9-2, at St. John’s University.
Xaverian had earlier lost to Farrell in the double-elimination tournament, so another loss would end its season.
“I think if we win [today] people will start talking about Xaverian again,” head coach Dennis Canale said. “They’ll know we’re a team to be reckoned with.”
Canale also wasn’t surprised that his team rebounded from its previous defeat. “We’re a senior-heavy team,” he said. “They have high expectations and they know what they’re capable of.”
They showed that yesterday, thanks in part to five strong innings from Anthony Hajjar and a pair of RBIs from both Keith Prestano and J.T. Torres. While Xavier is out, Xaverian will face No. 6 Fordham Prep today at 4:30 at SJU after the Rams eliminated No. 5 St. Peter’s with a 6-0 win.
In other CHSAA playoff action yesterday, Stepinac knocked off Farrell, 3-1 at Fordham University, to advance to the CHSAA championship round, while the previously unbeaten Lions remain alive in the double-elimination tournament.
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Top-seeded Norman Thomas will face No. 6 Monroe tonight at 7 at Yankee Stadium for the PSAL A title.
“I’ve been here for three years, and this is big,” said senior catcher Raul Gonzalez. “We’ve always wanted to win a championship, and I knew this was my last chance.”
This will be Norman Thomas’ first appearance in the finals, while perennial contender Monroe looks for its first title since 2006.
