It has been a bizarre season in the sense that a couple of the teams we expected to take a massive step forward have actually regressed while some teams who we expected to tread water have vastly exceeded expectations.
Last week, Molloy topped our first weekly Power Rankings of the season and here’s how everyone stands for our second installment.
1.Molloy
Record: 14-6 (Stock UP)
Photo Credit: Nakeem Grant
They are in the midst of a four-game series against rival LIU Post. They have already taken the first three games of the series and will look for the sweep tomorrow in Brookville. It is remarkable how soundly they have played. Coach Fucarino told our reporter Nakeem that they put a great deal of time into their situational hitting. It is pretty clear by the results. They have a team .312 AVG with .392 OBP. Angelo Navetta is easily the most underrated players, and one of the best players on the island–he’s off to a scorching start at .400 (30-for-75). The rotation has been led by Ron Bauer, Bobby Kelly and Anthony Catinella. Timmy Panetta has been tremendous out of the bullpen. My only concern is whether Bauer can continue to escape jams while walking a batter per inning. That is generally not sustainable, but to this point he is the pitcher of the ECC.
2. Old Westbury
Record: 13-6 (Stock UP)
They leapfrog St. Joseph’s after thoroughly beating them yesterday at Jackie Robinson Field in Westbury. After playing on two Skyline Conference winning teams, I have seen plenty of pitchers that have the look of someone that can put the team on their back and get the job done–Jeremy Charles and Danny Aguilo both had that look yesterday. They did it two different ways. Charles was intense and had controlled aggression while Aguilo was even-keeled and relaxed but they both fired strikes all day and led the way. They didn’t even use a reliever. In the playoffs, they will be a tough out with a pitching staff that has all sorts of weapons. From a position players standpoint, I can’t say enough about the job Tommy Zeigen has done. In my opinion, he is the best player in the conference right now and he’s done it not only at the plate (.688 SLG %) but in the field and on the base paths. He does the things that don’t show up in the box score too–fielding bad hops with his bare hand and taking the extra base on a ball that barely scoots away from an infielder. Kevin Lao and Joey Walsh have also proven to be revelations at the plate.
To Read the Rest of the Rankings, CLICK HERE
