Boys Playoffs Take Shape

Most of the pretenders have played themselves out of playoff contention; the road to the County Baseball Championships and a berth in the New York State tournament has been cleared of the rubble.

Two local schools are set to clash in the County Class C final. Pierson/Bridgehampton, the league IX champion, sports a 15-2 record but has lost two of its last four games.

Mercy crushed Southold on May 4, 11-1, and is the “it” team, having won five in a row. Pierson holds a two-game lead in the league IX standings and finishes off the season with a three-game series against Port Jefferson, including a home game on May 9. Mercy plays three against Stony Brook, including a home game on May 9.

On May 21, the two teams will open a three-game series for the title, with the higher seed getting the home field advantage. Game Two will be at the second seed on May 22 and the third game, if necessary, will be on the home field of the top seeded team.

The Monarchs are the Cinderella team of the tournament since Diocese of Rockville Centre announced the school will close after the season. Pierson and Mercy split for regular season encounters.

It looks like Babylon (13-4), Mattituck (11-6), and Center Moriches (14-3) will compete for the Class B crown. Seeding is critical in this one; the second and third seed play a playoff game on May 18, with the loser taking on the top seed on May 22. It’s a double-elimination deal. The winner will be decided on May 24; all the games will be played on the field of the highest seed.

Mattituck played at Babylon on May 7 and against the same team at home on May 8 and will do so again on May 10. The Tuckers probably need a sweep to move up in the seedings.

There are a number of teams looking to slide into the Class A playoffs. Shoreham/Wading River, with a 14-1 mark in League VI, has a leg up on the top seed.

In Class AA, Commack (14-3) Longwood (12-4), and Ward Melville (12-5) are chasing Smithtown East (15-2) for the top seed going into the last week of the season.

The championship games will be held on May 24 for Classes A and AA.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com