Here are the quarterfinals. I know the Mahopac/Fox Lane and Bronxville/Pleasantville games aren’t decided, but I wanted to give everyone a while to post their picks.

Go at it. Jake and I will post our picks tomorrow night.

Quarterfinals
Class AA:
No. 8 Arlington at No. 1 Mamaroneck, 4:30 p.m.
No. 5 Yorktown at No. 4 Ketcham, 4:30 p.m.
No. 11 Scarsdale at No. 3 Suffern, 4:30 p.m.
No. 7 Mahopac/No. 10 Fox Lane winner at No. 2 John Jay, 4:30 p.m.
Class A:
No. 9 Ardsley at No. 1 Lakeland, 4:30 p.m.
No. 10 Lourdes at No. 2 Pelham, TBD
No. 6 Eastchester at No. 3 Hen Hud, 4 p.m.
No. 12 Rye vs. No. 4 Somers, 4:30 p.m.
Class B:
No. 9 Pleasantville/No. 8 Bronxville winner at No. 1 Kennedy, TBD
No. 7 Putnam Valley at No. 2 Briarcliff, 4:30 p.m.
No. 6 Rye Neck winner at No. 3 Nanuet, 4:30 p.m.
No. 5 Dobbs Ferry at No. 4 North Salem, 4:30 p.m.

Chalk up another one for Eastchester. That’s 15 of 16 for the once-moribund Eagles. It’s a group that, at 1-8 in April, needed a lot of luck to make the playoffs and a minor miracle to move seven games over .500. Which, of course, is exactly where they sit after today’s 7-3 first-round win over Pearl River in the Class A playoffs.

It was just the opponent scorching Eastchester wanted to see. Pearl River knocked it out of the playoffs in the first round last year behind a 10-run sixth and relief appearance by Sean Giblin. This time the shutdown reliever belonged to the Eagles. As did the big tiebreaking inning.

Andrew Nickoletos picked up the win by cleaning up after Rob Federico, who loaded the bases and walked in a run. Nickoletos, a lefty with a nasty curve, got out of the inning tied at 3-3 then tossed three more scoreless innings. Dom Cecere didn’t want to use his top reliever today but didn’t have a choice. Dan Sorine broke the tie with a RBI single, followed by a David Perlleshi two-run double. They scored four in the fifth.

Steve Putnick, Pearl River’s ace, took the loss. He came in after four innings by Ed Vecchio and probably would have started the next game. But he was ineffective in his first inning. It followed his worst start
of the season to close the regular season, which makes me think there was something wrong with him.

The Eagles go for their 16th win in 17 games against No. 3 Hen Hud on Monday. The pitching matchup will probably be Dan Sorine for Eastchester against Dan Martin for Hen Hud. Hen Hud used ace Mike Tandy to beat Byram Hills.

Interesting sidenote here — Cecere is a 44-year coach and Paul Natale of Hen Hud’s been at the helm for 38 years. That’s a lot of baseball.

Update 2:36 — Mamaroneck wins 5-3. Andrew Benkwitt got Ryan Shilling to line out with a runner on to end the game.

Update 2:20 — Scarsdale beat JJEF in a Major upset.

Ketcham beat White Plains.

John Jay beat North. Green did not pitch.

Mamaroneck-Carmel has resumed. Both starters are out. Carmel scored two quick runs and its now 5-3. Mamaroneck is batting with two out in the sixth.

Update 1:10 — Eastchester beats Pearl River 7-3. Jake will have details later.

Somers was apparently up 10-0 on Brewster in the fifth and Suffern shut down Greeley 2-0.

Mamaroneck game is in a thunder delay. The Tigers lead 5-1 in the top of the sixth. Sean Hagan has one out with two on and he is ahead in the count 1-2 on Carmel catcher Mike DeNapoli.

Update 12:39 — Yorktown wins 1-0 behind ace Dan Mason

Mamaroneck leads Carmel 5-1 in the fifth. Gabe Klein had a two run single in the fourth.

Mahopac-Fox Lane is postponed till tomorrow.

I just read the comments beneath Jake’s predictions and discovered that some of you are clearly hiding from this unquestionable truth: We are two different people. I know, I know, the names are confusing. Blame our parents, but don’t take it out on us.

Anyway, it looks like we’re in store for a soggy Saturday. If play is washed out, we’ll update it as soon as we can. Also, like I’ve said the last two days, Saturday rainouts will be pushed back to Sunday.

Whenever the heck they do play, here’s who I like in Round 1:

CLASS AA —
No. 16 Carmel at No. 1 Mamaroneck: As I said in yesterday’s podcast, I’m not getting roped into the tantalizing pick. Sure, this matchup has a serious number of storylines, but I believe Mamaroneck is better than last year. Carmel will keep it close behind Mike Volpe, but it’ll need offense outside of the woefully underrated John Kiechle to win. I’m not sure the Rams get it. Mamaroneck 4, Carmel 2
No. 9 Saunders at No. 8 Arlington: Poor Saunders. The Blue Devils have been overlooked by all of us, yet to them this is a major achievement. From my point of view, I can’t see how an experienced team like this can wake up early and make the trek north (gotta be almost two hours on a bus), and still hope to compete with such a strong opponent. Remember, Lincoln had North Rockland on the ropes last year; I just don’t believe Saunders has that in it. Arlington 8, Saunders 0
No. 12 North Rockland at No. 5 Yorktown: The Huskers have two positives in their favor: a much better record and a home-field advantage. Problem is that and a quarter can buy a gumball against the defending Class AA champ and former MVP Ryan Fasano. I expect Fasano and co. to regain some mojo upon their return to the playoffs, so I like them here. In almost any other instance, tough-minded and tight-knit Yorktown would get my upset nod. (Yes, I’d consider a Yorktown win here an upset.) North Rockland 3, Yorktown 2
No. 13 White Plains at No. 4 Ketcham: I completely agree with Jake on this one, except for that dig against me hatin’ on Ketcham. That’s ridiculous, but so is Jake. The Tigers would need a yeoman effort out of seniors Josh Herzenberg and Max Lambert to compete here. Ketcham 11, White Plains 3
No. 11 Scarsdale at No. 6 John Jay-EF: I could’ve made my best point of the year in Thursday night’s podcast… I actually believe Scarsdale’s win over Ketcham this month hurts it against JJEF. It won’t scare the Patriots, but it shows them Scardale must be taken seriously. They’ll win, and set up a great quarterfinal vs. Suffern. JJEF 7, Scarsdale 4
No. 14 Greeley vs. No. 3 Suffern: This is one of the harder games to predict in the first round. Not the result — I like Suffern — but the score. It’s dependent on whether or not Robbie Aviles pitches, and if he pitches how many pitches he throws. I’ll take the conservative route. Suffern 6, Greeley 3
No. 10 Fox Lane at No. 7 Mahopac: A rematch of the Tantalos tourney championship game but the pitchers will be far different. C.J. Riefenhauser goes for the Indians, while the Foxes will likely turn to either Mike Giordano or Donny Pitasi, both of which are capable of a strong outing. Still, Riefenhauser is the difference. He thrives in big spots. Mahopac 4, Fox Lane 3
No. 15 Clarkstown North at No. 2 John Jay: I’ve heard enough on the rumor mill to believe Stephen Green is available. I don’t know how much he pitches after this long a layoff, but I bet the Indians will be geared up to prove detractors wrong. They better be sharp because North has all its pitching in line. John Jay 8, Clarkstown North 4

CLASS A —
No. 9 Ardsley at No. 8 Panas: Stunningly, Jake’s right about Kioyta Gomi, who has done nothing but post great stats in a strong league for two years running. If he’s on the mound, that gives Ardsley the edge. I’ve also been impressed with Panas of late. Not only did it hang with rival Lakeland twice, it also beat Yorktown early last week. This is one of the tougher games to pick in the first round. Ardsley 2, Panas 1
No. 12 Rye at No. 5 Tappan Zee: Unfortunately, I haven’t seen either team this season. Jake’s seen both and he likes TZee, so that’s a pretty good endorsement. Also, when in doubt, you have to take the hotter team and with Rye having lost seven of eight it’s the Dutchmen who are hotter. Tappan Zee 8, Rye 7

No. 13 Brewster at No. 4 Somers: As I said two days ago, I now like Somers to win it all, so it’s obvious I like it to win here. That said, it’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Bears, who were very young and inexperienced when I saw them vs. Carmel. They rallied to play more competitive games and to qualify for the playoffs. Next year they’ll take another step or two. Somers 9, Brewster 3
No. 11 Pearl River at No. 6 Eastchester: Jake retained his objectivity by not picking this one, but I’d bet he just found it easier to sit it out. This is brutally tough to call. First, you can’t be quite sure who will pitch for the Eagles. Second, both teams are capable of just about anything. I’ll yet again abide by the theory of picking the hotter team, and that’s Eastchester. Eastchester 7, Pearl River 5
No. 14 Byram Hills at No. 3 Hen Hud: Not much to add here about two teams I’ve never seen. The Sailors have had their ugly moments, but not against a team like the Bobcats, who play in an inferior league. That’s another of my theories: When in doubt, pick the better-tested club. Hen Hud 11, Byram Hills 4
No. 10 Lourdes at No. 7 Beacon: I don’t know anything about these teams except that neither quite as strong as normal. Take Beacon with the homefield. Beacon 5, Lourdes 4

CLASS B —
No. 11 Westlake at No. 6 Rye Neck: With Kevin McQuade and Ryan Pennell, the Panthers have the arms to withstand an upset bid. They’ll need them, because the streaky Wildcats have beat Kennedy and Pelham. I don’t think coach Tyler Slater wanted to see them, but I don’t expect it matters. Rye Neck 4, Westlake 1
No. 10 Hastings at No. 7 Putnam Valley: Great pitching matchup with Blicker vs. Considine. With the way Hastings has played, it needs Blicker on the mound. But like I said in the contest, I believe he’ll be enough to shutdown the Tigers’ offense. Hastings 3, Putnam Valley 2
No. 9 Pleasantville at No. 8 Bronxville: This pick follows my second theory. Stronger league, stronger team. Plus, the Panthers have really played well after a slow start, and it’s been rooted in their pitching. Pleasantville 5, Bronxville 3

Big news for Clarkstown North fans. Chris O’Grady is pitching again for the Rams, at least a month before he thought he’d ever get on a mound again. He threw two innings against South in the outbracket, walking three and striking out the same number. When I saw his name in the box score I thought there might have been a mistake, since he told me in preseason that he wouldn’t be healthy until summer.

But I spoke to him this afternoon and sure enough, doctors cleared him to throw again. He doesn’t think he’ll start, but even in relief he’s like a mini-Joba Chamberlain. Late season call-up, big guy with good stuff, on a strict innings limit. John Jay can relax though, he’s not ready to come back out on Saturday. But if North gets to the quarters, he’ll be waiting in the pen.

O’Grady was supposed to be North’s ace until he wrecked his knee playing football in the fall. He’ll pitch for George Mason next year.

Just heard from Carmel, which easily handled New Ro in its second outbracket victory in as many years. John Kiechle had four hits and six RBI and Bobby Rodriguez had four hits and five RBI on the strength of two home runs.The big news you probably want to hear is that Carmel pitched… Zack Graczyk.

Update — Sorry, my cell phone screwed up for a second. Anyway Mike Volpe will pitch tomorrow in what is an incredibly interesting game. Mamaroneck can’t be happy. Two years in a row the Tigers were very unlucky. Still, they will win if they are as good as we think.

One more outbracket game to go before the playoffs really get started. Tonight we’ll find out whether top AA seed Mamaroneck will be taking on New Rochelle (they pray) or Carmel (they pray not). Then it’s a Saturday full to bursting with 18 first-round matchups. I feel like last year’s chaotic AA has made everyone eager for this postseason because everyone feels like they have a chance.

Of course when it comes to putting their butts on the line with predictions, us analysts are notoriously wussy. We know there will be upsets. We just don’t know where, and we can’t justify picking a 15-seed to beat a 2-seed. I’ll try to take a couple of chances. Including a No. 15 over a No. 2.

Class AA

No. 16 Carmel/No. 17 New Rochelle at No. 1 Mamaroneck: I’m going to work on the assumption that Carmel beats New Rochelle today behind Matt Volpe. Despite the low seed Carmel is a much stronger team than New Ro. Which adds up to a nightmare scenario for Mamaroneck. Not because the Tigers will lose. I don’t think they will. But the last thing they want as they begin another pressurized title run is the ghosts of last year’s first-round shocker. Our local columnist, Rick Carpiniello, will be at Mamaroneck, and I guarantee if the home team wins he’ll come back with quotes like, “We wanted to face Carmel. We wanted to get back at them for last year.” Don’t buy it. They wish they had a nice easy matchup. They’ll sweat the night before, although the result will be the same. Mamaroneck hits Carmel’s No. 2 starter and wins behind Sean Hagan. Mamaroneck 11, Carmel 2

Jake and I give our thoughts on every first-round game in all four classes in our latest podcast. We talk about possible pitching matchups, who we like, and why we like who we like. (That’s a tough sentence to get through…)

Also, if you hang in there through the podcast we each issue our championship predictions. Here’s a hint: Jake picked two teams from Orange County, so he’s already half-wrong.

Enjoy:

Download:

Wish I’d been at this one. Not only was it the first outbracket game, not only was it between rivals North and South, but it came down to the last at-bat. Instead I was at the Section 1 girls golf championship. Sigh.

North got a two-run single from Mike Stevens in the bottom of the seventh to beat South 5-4. This after being shut out for six innings by Jordan Kolinsky. But it seems the Rams put a couple men on against him in the seventh. Vikings coach Rich Wirchansky, still leading, pulled him for John Tricario. When he was ineffective, he came out for Anthony Trongone. Then Stevens got the big hit.

It’s about 8:45 p.m. and I’ll be doing work in the office for a few more hours. If you have questions about the playoffs, fire away. Jake and I will be taping a podcast later where we’ll preview the playoffs and give our predictions.

Anyway, leave your questions here and I’ll answer them immediately.