With just one week left of play in Class AA, everything’s starting to get interesting. This past week, we saw Baldwin beat the previous first-place Calhoun Colts in two games, along with Syosset handing Oceanside their first loss of the season. Unexpected outcomes have been the motto so far in 2018, so one can assume we may be in for some surprises this week. Heading into the final week of the regular season, here are the new top five teams in Class AA.
5. Herricks (8-6-1) (Last week: No. 4)
Coming off their bye week, Herricks remains one of the two hottest teams in Class AA. The other? The Baldwin Bruins (7-8). The two red hot teams face off this week with a great chance to play again in the first round of the playoffs. If Herricks wishes to receive better than the seven seed in the playoffs, this is a must win series for them. Matt Yip and the rest of the Herricks offense who have been consistent all season long must continue to produce this week. If they win the series this week, they will have a valuable position for the playoffs. Don’t sleep on this Herricks team.
4. Calhoun (10-5) (Last week: No. 3)
For the second straight week, the Colts have hurt their stock. This time, coming from two losses to Baldwin. If Calhoun wishes to lock up a top four seed in the playoffs, all they need to do is win the series this week against Long Beach (4-10-1). Although Calhoun has been consistent all season long, they’ve shown signs of fading these past two weeks, especially on the mound. We’ll see if the Colts can overcome these red flags in their final series of the regular season.
3. Massapequa (10-6) (Last week: Unranked)
The Chiefs who’ve been out of the top five for the past three weeks have found themselves back where they belong. All of a sudden, they’ve won six of their last seven games and now hold a top four seed for the playoffs. If Massapequa can sweep Syosset this upcoming week, they will have a first round bye secured. In recent history, the Chiefs have gotten hot at the right time and show signs of doing so once again. Johnny Castagnozzi and Andrew Primm will be leading the way forward for a chance at another county championship appearance.
2. Plainview (12-3) (Last week: No. 2)
Plainview has emerged as the best team in conference AA2 and is now one win away from clinching a conference championship. They will have a tough match up this week as they take on the East Meadow Jets (10-5). Only needing one win to clinch the number two seed, expect Mark Faello to toss a gem as he’s been doing consistently the past two seasons. This past week, sophomore Ziv Gar continued to impress as he pitched five innings, allowing no earned runs and two hits while striking out four. If Gar can provide Faello with some room for backup in the rotation, Plainview may be able to compete with Oceanside in the playoffs. Anything is possible for this team, and that includes a county championship.
1. Oceanside (14-1) (Last week: No. 1)
The week is over, and the Sailors are no longer undefeated. The pressure of going undefeated has vanished, which means they can shift their attention to the postseason and work on the goal that really matters; a county championship. It’s possible that the one loss could be a blessing in disguise, as they have a chance to rest their arms in the final series of the regular season against Port Washington (8-6-1). Expect the Sailors to lose a game or two this week, but don’t expect them to lose in the playoffs. They’re easily the favorites going forward.
