The Post’s baseball beat writers Marc Raimondi and Zach Braziller take a look at some of the 2012 season’s most intriguing matchups.
43rd Annual Monroe Tournament Showcase (April 7-12, TBA)
The prestigious, pool-play tournament will be extra loaded this fall as not only will it include host Monroe, last year’s champion Grand Street Campus, Staten Island dynamo Tottenville and Queens contenders Cardozo and Bryant, but Catholic school powerhouse Iona Prep is also expected to be part of the five-day showcase as well.
Fordham Prep @ Iona Prep (April 17, 4 p.m.)
Iona Prep could very well throw UConn-bound ace Matt D’Ariano in this game and having him matching up with Virginia Tech-bound shortstop and slugger Andrew Velazquez would be worth the price of admission alone. The CHSAA Bronx/Westchester title won’t be decided this early, but the winner gets a jump start.
Cardozo vs. William Bryant @ Elmjack Complex (April 20, 4 p.m.)
Queens bragging rights and playoff seeding implications will be on the line when these two emerging PSAL powers meet. The two will likely be at the top of their respective divisions. While Cardozo won the head-to-head matchup last year, Bryant went further in the city playoffs, all the way to the quarterfinals.
Poly Prep @ George Washington (April 21, 4 p.m.)
Major League scouts will flock to this showdown which will feature the city’s top prospect this year (George Washington catcher Nelson Rodriguez) against its best next year (Poly Prep ace Andrew Zapata). Poly Prep won last year behind Zapata in Bay Ridge, but the scene shifts to Washington Heights this spring. The Trojans will be out for revenge.
Lehman @ James Monroe (April 23, 4 p.m.)
While both teams may be somewhat down, relying on youth and inexperience, the yearly matchup is always a must-see. The two coaches tend to get the most out of their players – it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them both leading their respective divisions despite graduating a horde of top players.
Fieldston @ Horace Mann (April 25, 4:15 p.m.)
Barring something unforeseen, the neighboring rivals will likely be battling for the second spot in the Ivy Prep League and the winner here should get a leg up on the other. Between Horace Mann’s Harrison Bader and Jesse Roth and Fieldston’s Kevin Fich and Will Savage, the field will be full of high-level Division I talent as Bader has committed to Pittsburgh, Roth to Virginia and Fich and Savage are drawing tons of interest.
Archbishop Molloy @ Xaverian (May 8, 4 p.m.)
Xaverian has been the team to beat in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘AA,’ but Molloy has a chance to take the division crown this year. The Stanners will get their chance at Shore Road in this late-season blockbuster that could pit ace Jonathan Ramon against Clippers No. 1 Blaise Scerbo.
Xavier @ All Hallows (May 11, 4 p.m.)
The 2011 season ended last year for Xavier when All Hallows closer Stephen Alemais caught James McCool looking for strike three in a CHSAA championship tournament elimination game. Alemais is back for All Hallows, while St. John’s-bound ace Nick DiLeo could get the ball in this one for Xavier.
Grand Street Campus @ James Madison (May 14, 4 p.m.)
The Brooklyn A East division title can very well come down to the two end-of-the-year meetings between these powers. Grand Street swept the season series last year and returns an impressive core, but Madison is much improved and has one of the deepest pitching staffs in the city.
Monsignor Farrell @ Moore Catholic (May 15, 4 p.m.)
The Staten Island division title could be on the line in this massive game – and taking home that crown means everything to Moore Catholic. The Mavs were stunned in a three-game qualifying series for the CHSAA playoffs last year and they can immediately reach the final eight with a division championship.
zbraziller@nypost.com
mraimondi@nypost.com
Iona Prep, George Washington, Poly Prep, William Bryant, CHSAA, CHSAA, Annual Monroe Tournament Showcase, Monroe, James Monroe, Horace Mann, All Hallows, tournament, Andrew Zapata, Ivy Prep League, Marc Raimondi, The Post’s baseball, Grand Street
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