By Joseph Staszewski
There were no titles brought home to Queens this season despite the borough producing some of the city’s top talent.
The season’s biggest story was a young Monsignor McClancy team that got hot late before falling just one win shy of reaching the CHSAA ‘AA’ championship. A green Molloy squad found its groove and orchestrated another deep playoff run. St. Francis Prep, Holy Cross and Christ the King also put together fine campaigns.
Cardozo won its division, but wasn’t able to repeat as PSAL Class ‘AA’ city champions. The Judges suffered a loss to James Madison in the quarterfinals. Francis Lewis and John Bowne were right with Dozo at the top of the division.
So many teams had memorable seasons and here are the top players who made it all happen.
All-Queens Player of the Year: Charlie Neuweiler, Monsignor McClancy
There were plenty of contributors to McClancy’s surprise success, but none was bigger than this sophomore, who pitched beyond his years. The lanky righty went 10-2 with a sparkling 1.28 ERA. He tossed a no-hitter and averaged 10 strikeouts per game. It was Neuweiler, despite not having his best stuff, who pitched McClancy past Molloy and into the winner’s bracket final.
All-Queens Coach of the Year: Nick Melito, Monsignor McClancy
The veteran manager orchestrated one of McClancy’s best seasons in recent years. Melito got the most out of a young and talented group and made them believe they were as good as any team in the city. The Crusaders responded by placing second in Brooklyn/Queens and coming within a win of reaching the CHSAA baseball final. His energy and encouragement kept the group believing.
All-Queens Baseball First Team:
3B Daniel Alfonzo, Bayside
The son of former Met Edgardo Alfonzo certainly lived up to his name. The sophomore batted .479 with a 1.208 slugging percentage, thanks to 16 extra-base hits. He smashed eight home runs. Alfonso is also a strong defensive third baseman.
OF/P Aaron Ammirati, Construction
Ammirati remained a serious dual threat for the Red Hawks. The senior posted a .404 average, scored 13 runs and stole 13 bases. He also went 5-3 on the mound with a sterling 1.88 ERA in one of the best divisions in the city.
2B Noah Cabrera, Cardozo
The junior built off his strong sophomore season to help the Judges reach the quarterfinals. Cabrera batted a whopping .524 with 11 RBI and 11 stolen bases. The slick fielder was also a catalyst in the leadoff spot.
SS Shawn Harrison, Holy Cross
Harrison stepped up and had the best season of his career. The two-year starter batted .373 with 19 runs scored and 17 RBI. The junior smacked nine doubles on the way to posting a .542 slugging percentage.
P Scott Hannon, Archbishop Molloy
Hannon, one of the few seniors on an inexperienced Molloy team, led by example. The St. Thomas Aquinas-bound righty went 6-3 with a 2.00 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 65 innings. He also hit .300 in the middle of the order.
CF Quentin Holmes, Monsignor McClancy
There may not be a more athletically gifted player in the borough. The blazing fast sophomore was all over the bases for the Crusaders and tracked down everything that was hit to center. He hit .350 with four home runs and 18 stolen bases.
LF Kevin Linitz, Archbishop Molloy
The junior was a major spark plug for Molloy as its No. 2 hitter all season. Linitz posted a .406 average and led the team in extra base hits and stolen bases. He also flashes some fine leather in left.
P Jonathan Rosero, Holy Cross
The Villanova-bound righty was the ace for the Knights. He went 5-3 with a 1.78 ERA, while striking out 45 batters in 42 innings and allowing just 25 hits. Rosero tossed a complete game four-hitter versus Xaverian without walking a batter.
P/1B Demitri Sanchez, Cardozo
The senior took over the role as the team’s best all-around player after the graduation of Keith Rogers. Sanchez went 5-0 on the mound with a 1.31 ERA. He also hit .449 with 20 runs scored and 19 RBI.
1B Jordan Santiago,
St. Francis Prep
The Adelphi-bound slugger was the Terriers’ most reliable bat. Santiago hit .500 with 12 triples, 17 RBI and five stolen bases. SFP is going to miss his production at the plate and sure glove at first.
2B Andrew Santora, Monsignor McClancy
It’s hard to have the season the Crusaders did without a clutch batter and Santora was exactly that as a senior. He posted a .325 average and slugged three home runs out of the No. 3 slot. Santora also made all the plays at second.
SS/P Quinsy Tunstall, Francis Lewis
The senior did a little bit of everything for the Patriots. He batted .574 with 21 runs scored, 16 RBI, a 1.12 slugging percentage and 10 stolen bases. Tunstall also saw time on the mound, allowing one run in 7 2/3 innings of work.
Honorable mention
1B Jonathan Arroyo,
Holy Cross
CF Chris Armas,
Archbishop Molloy
C Albert Casado, Academy of American Studies.
P/3B Aldwin Corona, Cardozo
2B Shawn Griffin,
Beach Channel
LF/P Elvis Torres Devargas, John Bowne
C Anthony Fanelli,
Monsignor McClancy
CF Conor McGee,
St. Francis Prep
P Chris Pannetti, Christ the King
1B/P Anthony Payano, Francis Lewis
3B/P Christopher Pichardo, Newtown
P Matt Treibel, St. Francis Prep
