Just how good are things for St. Joseph by-the-Sea these days?
Well, if its 6-5 non-league victory over Fontbonne Hall Saturday is any indication, things are going very well.
The Vikings had lost a four-run lead by the time they entered the bottom of the sixth and last inning in the curfew-enforced Breast Cancer Awareness Game at home and was an out away from finishing in a tie when Cara O'Leary stepped to the plate.
The senior, who is Sea's ace hurler, smacked a game-ending, inside-the-park homer to give the Vikings a one-run victory over the Brooklyn school.
The victory, mind you, has no bearing on the fact that Sea still finds itself atop the SILive.com Softball Top Five this week. It solidified that status by winning its lone CHSAA game last Thursday.
Inclement weather limited the amount of league games played last week and although the same five teams occupy the Top Five, there was a change in the order.
This week's head-to-head match-ups, meanwhile, could very well determine who's in the Top Five next week. This is a particularly interesting week for New Dorp who, at 7-2, are knocking on the Top Five's door. The Central Cougars host Tottenville Monday and Susan Wagner on Wednesday.
1. St. Joseph by-the-Sea (6-0)
The defending Staten Island, Archdiocesan and city champion Vikings continued to roll through Island competition, defeating St. Joseph Hill 11-4 in their lone league encounter last week. Sea has a commanding 2 1/2-game lead on second-place Moore Catholic in the division.
2. Susan Wagner (8-1)
The Falcons won all three of their PSAL contests last week and find themselves tied atop the division standings with Tottenville. SW handed the Pirates their lone loss of the season earlier this month. Wagner defeated PSAL city finalist HS of Construction 12-0 on Friday before defeating CSI/McCown 11-2 and McKee/Staten Island Tech 11-3 on Saturday.
3. Tottenville (8-1)
The Pirates have won six straight league games since dropping a 5-0 decision to Wagner on April 2. And although the rankings are primarily based on league records, any head-to-head, crossover encounters could determine who gets a higher ranking. This week, thanks to their 10-8 non-league win over Moore Catholic Saturday at the Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament, the Pirates jumped over the Mavericks. In its lone league game last week, Tottenville recorded a 13-2 road victory over Bayside Friday in Queens.
4. Moore Catholic (3-2)
The Mavericks, who have another interesting non-league battle against Susan Wagner Monday in Graniteville, were idle in league play last week.
5. Port Richmond (6-2)
The Raiders maintained the final spot after defeating Lehman 12-2 in their only league game last week. Weather permitting, they will play four games this week, including contests against Curtis, MSIT, Tottenville and Frank Sinatra.
Dropped out: None.
Check out Tuesday's Inside Pitch blogs on the SILive.com softball Pitcher and Player of the Week.
Follow Charlie De Biase Jr. on Twitter @CharlieDeBiase2
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