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Updated: Fri., Jun. 4, 2010, 12:45 AM
PSAL Class A baseball semifinals preview
By ZACH BRAZILLER
Last Updated: 12:45 AM, June 4, 2010
Posted: 12:38 AM, June 4, 2010
The Post’s PSAL baseball beat writer Zach Braziller breaks down this weekend’s Class A semifinal best-of-three series at
MCU Park in Coney Island and the College of Staten Island.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY @ MCU Park in Coney Island
4 p.m. – No. 2 George Washington vs. No. 3 Tottenville
7 p.m. – No. 4 James Madison vs. No. 8 Lehman
SATURDAY @ College of Staten Island
11 a.m. – No. 2 George Washington vs. No. 3 Tottenville
2 p.m. – No. 4 James Madison vs. No. 8 Lehman
SUNDAY (TBA)
No. 2 George Washington Trojans
Head coach: Steve Mandl
Record: 19-0
Player to watch: SS Mike Antonio
No. 3 Tottenville Pirates
Head coach: Tom Tierney Jr.
Record: 20-1
Player to watch: CF Zach Granite
Outlook: Two of the PSAL's flagship schools meet in a star-studded three-game set. It includes a Big East center fielder
(Granite), one of the northeast’s top pro prospects (Antonio), and an iconic coach (Mandl). It features two of the last three
city champions – Tottenville won it all in 2007 while GW took the crown a year later – and the two most dominant teams
this postseason.
“Two great programs, two great teams,” said Mandl, who recently picked up his 900th career win. “It should be a good
series.”
In besting No. 30 Aviation, No. 14 Beacon, and No. 6 Morris, Tottenville has allowed only three runs while producing 22 of
its own. The Pirates, who beat GW, 9-1, in non-league play, have arguably the deepest lineup in the city – eight-place
hitter George Kantzian would hit cleanup for plenty of teams –and the 3-4 of first baseman Thomas Kain and catcher Kevin
Krause in fearsome.
“They put the bat on the ball and they all seem to hit,” Mandl said.
The Trojans, however, don’t take a backseat to anybody. They were a chic preseason pick at the season’s outset, didn’t
play their best ball during the midway point of the season, but have picked it up considerably as of late. They swept
defending champion Norman Thomas the last week of the regular season to retake the Manhattan A East crown and have
allowed just four runs in three playoff games. Ace Nestor Bautista has emerged in the absence of dynamic junior Yael
Regalado (elbow) and catcher Nelson Rodriguez – one of the best sophomores in the city – has driven in seven runs this
postseason.
“We have to stay focused and play hard, like we have been,” the LIU-bound Bautista said.
The two aces, left-handers Bautista and John Silva, won’t face one another since Silva went the distance in Tuesday’s 6-2
victory over Morris. Tottenville is likely to go with No. 2 starter Stephen Mattina, he of a 7-0 record, against Bautista.
Probably Game 2 starters are Kevin Torres, a sophomore converted to the mound from shortstop, opposite Silva, a senior
with a riding fastball in the mid-to-high 80’s.
No. 4 James Madison Knights
Head coach: Vinny Caiazza
Record: 19-0, Brooklyn A West
Player to watch: P Eddie Lenahan
No. 8 Lehman Lions
Head coach: Adam Droz
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