Another week, another new team at No. 5 in the power rankings. Oceanside sweeping Massapequa was the highlight of baseball this week in Class AA. With two weeks left in the regular season, let’s take a look at the top 5.
5. East Meadow (9-5-1) (Last week: 4)
After splitting with Herricks last week, the Jets find themselves hanging on for dear life in the top 5. If East Meadow wants to make a deep run in the playoffs, they’re going to have to be more consistent at the plate. As oppose to last week in which they scored 14 runs in 3 games, they only scratched across 8 runs in 3 games this week. East Meadow will look to bounce back this week in a series with Long Beach.
4. Calhoun (10-5) (Last week: Unranked)
An impressive 3 game sweep over Baldwin lands Calhoun back in the top 5. In a week where they outscored their opponents 27-3, everyone in their lineup was hitting. Sophmore Jake Edwards led the team offensively this week, going 7-9 with 5 doubles and 8 RBI’s. It was a week to remember to say the least. Calhoun has a bye week this week before playing their easiest series of the year next week against Valley Stream Central.
3. Massapequa (9-3) (Last week: 1)
Which came to a surprise to many, the Chiefs dropped all 3 games last week to Oceanside, resulting in a sweep. After winning the first 9 games of the year, this was definitely not how Massapequa planned their week would be. Luckily for them, they still have an extremely talented team offensively that can take them deep into the playoffs. Dan Gdanski and Dom Kriegle not having their best stuff last week definitely played a factor in the 3 game sweep. Massapequa will have a tough 3 game series this week against a red hot Farmingdale team.
2. Oceanside (10-1-1) (Last week: 3)
After sweeping the Chiefs in convincing fashion, Oceanside finds themselves ahead of Massapequa for the first time all season in the power rankings. For several reasons, this sweep was an eye opener to everyone. Brendan McFall continued to dominate as he shut down the powerful Massapequa lineup, going 6.2 innings, allowing 3 hits and striking out 4. Not to mention Matt Carey and Dylan Judd were rather impressive as well. Carey was the game 2 winner, going 6 strong innings allowing 3 runs and struck out 10. Judd led the team in hitting this week with 5 hits and 4 RBI’s, scored the go ahead run in game 2 and drove in the go ahead run in game 3. The Sailors will seek to carry their momentum into this week which should be an easy 3 game sweep against 1-12 Syosset.
1. Plainview (11-1) (Last week: 2)
After spending the week at No.2 in the power rankings, the Hawks are back on top with 2 weeks left to play in the regular season. The main reason why Plainview is #1? Their remaining games. Plainview opens up back to back series’ against Valley Stream Central and Baldwin, 2 teams they should steamroll. Valley Stream Central is 2-10 on the season and Baldwin was embarrassed last week by Calhoun, a team Planivew has already swept this year. With Mark Faello on the mound and the depth of this Plainview team, it doesn’t seem likely that they will lose another game all year. The sky is the limit for the Hawks.
