CSI in the News - CSI Today
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Updated: Fri., Jun. 4, 2010, 12:45 AM<br />
PSAL Class A baseball semif<strong>in</strong>als preview<br />
By ZACH BRAZILLER<br />
Last Updated: 12:45 AM, June 4, 2010<br />
Posted: 12:38 AM, June 4, 2010<br />
The Post’s PSAL baseball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down this weekend’s Class A semif<strong>in</strong>al best-of-three series at<br />
MCU Park <strong>in</strong> Coney Island and <strong>the</strong> College of Staten Island.<br />
SCHEDULE<br />
FRIDAY @ MCU Park <strong>in</strong> Coney Island<br />
4 p.m. – No. 2 George Wash<strong>in</strong>gton vs. No. 3 Tottenville<br />
7 p.m. – No. 4 James Madison vs. No. 8 Lehman<br />
SATURDAY @ College of Staten Island<br />
11 a.m. – No. 2 George Wash<strong>in</strong>gton vs. No. 3 Tottenville<br />
2 p.m. – No. 4 James Madison vs. No. 8 Lehman<br />
SUNDAY (TBA)<br />
No. 2 George Wash<strong>in</strong>gton Trojans<br />
Head coach: Steve Mandl<br />
Record: 19-0<br />
Player to watch: SS Mike Antonio<br />
No. 3 Tottenville Pirates<br />
Head coach: Tom Tierney Jr.<br />
Record: 20-1<br />
Player to watch: CF Zach Granite<br />
Outlook: Two of <strong>the</strong> PSAL's flagship schools meet <strong>in</strong> a star-studded three-game set. It <strong>in</strong>cludes a Big East center fielder<br />
(Granite), one of <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>ast’s top pro prospects (Antonio), and an iconic coach (Mandl). It features two of <strong>the</strong> last three<br />
city champions – Tottenville won it all <strong>in</strong> 2007 while GW took <strong>the</strong> crown a year later – and <strong>the</strong> two most dom<strong>in</strong>ant teams<br />
this postseason.<br />
“Two great programs, two great teams,” said Mandl, who recently picked up his 900th career w<strong>in</strong>. “It should be a good<br />
series.”<br />
In best<strong>in</strong>g No. 30 Aviation, No. 14 Beacon, and No. 6 Morris, Tottenville has allowed only three runs while produc<strong>in</strong>g 22 of<br />
its own. The Pirates, who beat GW, 9-1, <strong>in</strong> non-league play, have arguably <strong>the</strong> deepest l<strong>in</strong>eup <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> city – eight-place<br />
hitter George Kantzian would hit cleanup for plenty of teams –and <strong>the</strong> 3-4 of first baseman Thomas Ka<strong>in</strong> and catcher Kev<strong>in</strong><br />
Krause <strong>in</strong> fearsome.<br />
“They put <strong>the</strong> bat on <strong>the</strong> ball and <strong>the</strong>y all seem to hit,” Mandl said.<br />
The Trojans, however, don’t take a backseat to anybody. They were a chic preseason pick at <strong>the</strong> season’s outset, didn’t<br />
play <strong>the</strong>ir best ball dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> midway po<strong>in</strong>t of <strong>the</strong> season, but have picked it up considerably as of late. They swept<br />
defend<strong>in</strong>g champion Norman Thomas <strong>the</strong> last week of <strong>the</strong> regular season to retake <strong>the</strong> Manhattan A East crown and have<br />
allowed just four runs <strong>in</strong> three playoff games. Ace Nestor Bautista has emerged <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> absence of dynamic junior Yael<br />
Regalado (elbow) and catcher Nelson Rodriguez – one of <strong>the</strong> best sophomores <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> city – has driven <strong>in</strong> seven runs this<br />
postseason.<br />
“We have to stay focused and play hard, like we have been,” <strong>the</strong> LIU-bound Bautista said.<br />
The two aces, left-handers Bautista and John Silva, won’t face one ano<strong>the</strong>r s<strong>in</strong>ce Silva went <strong>the</strong> distance <strong>in</strong> Tuesday’s 6-2<br />
victory over Morris. Tottenville is likely to go with No. 2 starter Stephen Matt<strong>in</strong>a, he of a 7-0 record, aga<strong>in</strong>st Bautista.<br />
Probably Game 2 starters are Kev<strong>in</strong> Torres, a sophomore converted to <strong>the</strong> mound from shortstop, opposite Silva, a senior<br />
with a rid<strong>in</strong>g fastball <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mid-to-high 80’s.<br />
No. 4 James Madison Knights<br />
Head coach: V<strong>in</strong>ny Caiazza<br />
Record: 19-0, Brooklyn A West<br />
Player to watch: P Eddie Lenahan<br />
No. 8 Lehman Lions<br />
Head coach: Adam Droz<br />
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