There is but one undefeated team remaining in league play with Xaverian is a perfect 9-0 following wins against Monsignor McClancy and St. Francis Prep. St. Joseph by the Sea lost its first game of the regular season when last year’s Class A intersectional finalist Stepinac rallied for a win in Huguenot.
No. 3. Fordham Prep and No. 5. Monsignor Farrell has two losses apiece and are in our top five, along with No. 4 Xavier.
How do the rest of the week’s rankings pan out? We’ve got your answers right here.
1. Xaverian (9-0) (Last week: 1)
With solid pitching, blazing speed on the bases and probably the best lineup in the CHSAA, the Clippers have found a variety of ways to win. On Wednesday, Xaverian rallied to beat Monsignor McClancy in a slugfest, rallying to win 16-13 in eight innings. Against St. Francis Prep on Friday, the X-Men used a little bit of everything to again trounce the Terriers, 10-3.
Next: @ St. Edmund Prep (May 3, 4 p.m.)
2. St. Joseph by the Sea (7-1) (2)
The Vikings should be 8-0, but imploded against Archbishop Stepinac Thursday at home after leading 4-1 following the fifth inning. Sea bounced back well, blasting Moore Catholic, 7-1, on Friday. As is often the case, Chris Ramanauskas was the offensive star with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Next: No. 4 Xavier (May 6, 4 p.m.)
3. Fordham Prep (6-2) (3)
The Rams hit a pothole Wednesday in a blowout loss to Stepinac, which is seemingly beginning to round into form. If first-year coach Patrick Deane wanted to see how his team would respond to their worst loss of the year, he’d find out 24 hours later when Fordham crushed Mount St. Michael, 10-0.
Next: @ Iona Prep (May 4, 4 p.m.)
4. Xavier (7-3) (4)
Everything was going right for the Knights a week ago, a resounding win against rival Regis was the highlight as Xavier looked well on its way to defending its Bronx/Manhattan crown. But back-to-back one-run losses to St. Ray’s and All Hallows put that in doubt. But then Danny D’Angelo spun a two-hitter in a huge bounce-back win against All Hallows Friday.
Next: LaSalle (May 3, 4 p.m.)
5. Monsignor Farrell (6-2) (7)
The Lions might have dropped both meetings with St. Joseph by the Sea, but they put pressure on the rival Vikings with consecutive divisional wins against Moore Catholic and St. Peter’s. The story of both wins was solid starting pitching, first a one-hit gem by ace Joe Fiori and then a four-hitter by Matt Cascello.
Next: No. 3 Fordham Prep (May 3, 4 p.m.)
6. Bishop Ford (6-3) (NR)
Don’t look now, but here comes the Falcons who have won six of seven games. In a 5-0 win against Holy Cross, Miguel Ariza pitched six shutout innings and on Friday it was a brilliant outing by ace Stephen Bove, who went the distance, allowing just one unearned run in an 8-1 victory. Can Ford keep it up? Mike Hanrahan’s squad has a big one Monday afternoon against St. Francis Prep.
Next: St. Francis Prep (May 3, 4 p.m.)
7. Moore Catholic (5-4) (5)
The Mavericks had a difficult week, losing to division foes Monsignor Farrell and St. Joseph by the Sea. The recipe in both defeats was the same – one error led to another and another, while offensively Moore wasn’t able to produce much. Nick Doscher’s squad has a second chance against both foes this week.
Next: No. 5 Monsignor Farrell (May 5, 4 p.m.)
8. Regis (6-4) (NR)
Things looked bleak a week ago after what seemed to be a devastating loss to Xavier at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. But Regis turned things around with impressive wins against Cardinal Hayes and St. Raymond. Suddenly, the Raiders are back in the mix for the Bronx/Manhattan title.
Next: LaSalle (May 4, 4 p.m.)
9. St. Raymond (6-4) (8)
It was a mixed back for the Ravens this week. It started with Ricky Eusebio outdueling Rob Maguire in a 1-0 win against Xavier Wednesday, but Kevin Juarbe struggled against Regis and St. Ray’s couldn’t get its offense going until late in a 5-4 loss to Regis.
Next: @ All Hallows (May 4, 4 p.m.)
10. Monsignor McClancy (5-4) (9)
In what coach Nick Melito described as “home run derby,” McClancy fell to No. 1 Xaverian, 16-13, on Wednesday. The Crusaders drew confidence from the loss, able to play mighty Xaverian so closely. That showed Friday in an 8-1 win against improved St. Edmund Prep in Brooklyn.
Next: @ Holy Cross (May 3, 3:45 p.m.)
New: Bishop Ford (6-4) and Regis (6-4)
Dropped out: Archbishop Molloy (4-4) and St. Francis Prep (5-4)
On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (4-4), St. Francis Prep (5-4) and All Hallows (5-6)