The events of last week had a domino effect on these rankings. The top three are staying the same, but after that? Forget it. It’s a mess.
Cardozo got ace Amanda Annicaro back from illness and she dominated Bayside in a 3-2 win. That makes the Judges very difficult to place, because you could argue that the games they have lost this season might have been different if Annicaro was in the circle.
Here’s how we broke it down: Susan Wagner stays at No. 3 courtesy of a win against Port Richmond, now No. 6. Construction, the only other undefeated team in league play other than Tottenville, moves up to No. 4 because it has beaten Wagner and Cardozo in non-league games, the latter in convincing fashion.
Cardozo falls in line behind the Red Hawks after beating Bayside, which gets bumped down to No. 7 despite beating Construction in a non-league game earlier in the year. Port Richmond beat No. 8 Francis Lewis in more impressive fashion and how much can we weigh Bayside’s first win against Cardozo with Annicaro out?
Here’s how the rankings look:
1. Tottenville (12-0) (Last week: 1)
Once again, a game between Tottenville and Susan Wagner was called due to rain last week. It was the third time it has happened this season and it also happened a few times last year. The two coaches are scrambling to find a date before the end of the regular season. It’ll be another chance for the Pirates to flex their top-team-in-the-PSAL muscles.
Next: Curtis (May 3, 4 p.m.)
2. James Madison (9-1) (2)
Becky Ganley doesn’t earn as many headlines as some of the other Madison players, but she’s had a tremendous season. The junior leftfielder is batting .515 with 14 RBIs and 13 runs scored in nine games. Last week, she went 6-of-9 with eight RBIs and four runs against Midwood and New Utrecht.
Next: Fort Hamilton (May 3, 4 p.m.)
3. Susan Wagner (11-1) (3)
Things didn’t go exactly as planned for Wagner against Port Richmond last week. Coach Marco Altieri protested the resumed game when umpires said it would restart from the end of the fourth inning with the game tied at 2 instead of in the bottom of the fifth, the point of suspension, with Wagner ahead, 4-2. As it turned out, the Falcons won anyway, 8-2. They see the Red Raiders again Friday.
Next: @ CSI/McCown (May 3, 4 p.m.)
4. Construction (9-0) (6)
The Red Hawks remained undefeated in league play last week with a hard-fought, 5-4 win against rival Bryant. Barring something unforeseen happening, Construction should run the table the rest of the way in Queens A-II. Sheila San Andres has been superb all season with her right arm and against Bryant she did it with her bat, too, with a home run.
Next: Lane (May 3, 4 p.m. @ Smokey Oval)
5. Cardozo (9-2) (7)
If anyone doubted how important Amanda Annicaro is to Cardozo, she showed them exactly what she means to the Judges. The ace right-hander, who had been sick all season, gave up two runs on two hits and struck out nine in a 3-2 win against Bayside on Friday. With one of the PSAL’s elite pitchers back, Cardozo remains one of the league’s top teams.
Next: @ No. 8 Francis Lewis (May 3, 4:30 p.m.)
6. Port Richmond (9-2) (4)
The Red Raiders had a bit of momentum against Susan Wagner when their game was suspended due to rain two weeks ago. They didn’t carry that into the resumed matchup last week and fell to the Falcons, 8-2. PR gets another shot at its rival in a pivotal game Friday. Let’s hope the rain stays away.
Next: @ Petrides (May 3, 4 p.m.)
7. Bayside (9-2) (5)
The Commodores were as classy as could be. Everyone on the roster came over to greet Cardozo ace Amanda Annicaro, who had been ill for the entire season, before the two teams’ game Friday. Bayside, though, was then dominated by the healthy windmiller. Both teams play Francis Lewis this week with the Queens A-I title on the line.
Next: Van Buren (May 3, 4 p.m.)
8. Francis Lewis (5-4) (8)
It seems strange that a team ranked in the top 10 could actually finish .500 in league play. But the Patriots’ schedule has been brutal. They’ve lost games to No. 3 Susan Wagner, No. 4 Construction, No. 5 Cardozo and No. 7 Bayside. Look for young Lewis to be a darkhorse come playoff time though.
Next: No. 5 Cardozo (May 3, 4:30 p.m.)
9. Riverdale/Kingsbridge (8-1) (10)
The Tigers keep creeping up these rankings and make no mistake: they will be a problem in the playoffs. RKA run-ruled Clinton and did the same to Stevenson last week. All the Tigers have to do now is beat Bronx Science twice – no easy task, of course – and they will finish with the division title.
Next: Bronx Science (May 5, 4:30 p.m.)
10. DeWitt Clinton (6-2)
Nothing about the Governors jumps out at you. They’re not spectacular in any one facet of the game, but they’re solid all the way around, especially on defense. Coach Rich Eaton and his staff get the most out of their girls. Clinton rebounded after an 11-1 lost to Riverdale/Kingsbridge to beat Bronx Science, 10-9, last week.
Next: John F. Kennedy (May 3, 4 p.m. @ Kingsbridge LL)
New: DeWitt Clinton (6-2)
Dropped out: Bronx Science (5-3)
On the bubble: Bronx Science (5-3), Bryant (7-3) and Environmental Studies (6-2)