Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island Softball team is gearing up for their second stint in an All-Division II schedule of contests for the 2022 East Coast Conference (ECC) Softball Season. Last year in the 2021 season, the team finished 5-17 overall and 5-17 in the ECC during their first run at an all-DII schedule under former Head Coach Eric Kraut. Three of CSI's five wins came against Queens College, while the other two victories, were against Mercy College and St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC). In late January of 2022, the ECC released their Softball Pre-Season Poll with CSI Softball ranked at the number seven spot, a point behind Queens College in the voting, despite CSI's slightly better record than QC last season. The number one spot belongs to Bridgeport University as they seek a three-peat this season. CSI is still unable to compete in the postseason as they complete their third and final provisional member status after this season. However, under new Head Coach Tracey Garofalo the team is poised for a surprising season.
"The biggest thing is having them believe in themselves while changing the culture. I want them to be able to step on the field and be ready to compete with any team on the field," said Garofalo. The Dolphins may have only picked up five total wins, however, they were a respectable competitive team as nine of CSI's 17 losses were by three runs or less while only one other loss came via the mercy rule. Garofalo expects the same type of competitiveness from her team. "I want to be that scrappy team so that when opponents play us, they understand we will run through the fence to catch a ball. Regardless if we're in the first inning or the last inning, whether we are up in the game or down in the game." Her 15 years of experience as a Head Coach at Post University proves that notion as she increased PU's offensive and defensive ratings each season while scouting some great players during her tenure.
There are many ways a coach can help a team improve individually and statistically, however, Garofalo wants her team to control what they can control in every game this season and do the little thing that matters most on the field of play. "As long as their energy, effort, and attitude are present in every game, win or lose, it's going to be a successful season." With well over a month of practice now, her players are super excited to get back on the field, especially those upperclassmen who have not been to Florida for the spring games since their freshmen year amid the pandemic. "In terms of talent, we have a great group of experienced seniors, energetic freshmen, along with sophomores and juniors that all have great comradery with each other in just a short amount of time together," said Garofalo while commenting on her team's chemistry during practices.
CSI Softball's roster last year had only 11 players on their roster, one of their lowest to start and finish a season in a long time. With Garofalo now under the helm, 10 of them are returning to the team while adding six additional players including three multi-positional pitchers. Pitching was an area of concern for CSI last year as they gave up 120 earned runs while scoring under 100 total runs in the season. Many coaches usually have set captains before the season begins or will name upperclassmen as captains, however, Garofalo has a different approach than most. "Right now, I have not named captains, I know that my team will follow our seniors' leadership and I am so proud of this senior group who have led the right way from the start." Those five seniors have been the backbone of this softball team for a while now, who are they? Catcher Isabel Gallo, In-Fielder Samantha MacPherson, Pitcher/UT Jaclyn Kateridge, Pitcher/UT Nicole Rivera, and Out-Fielder/Catcher Claudia Porcaro. Garofalo would continue, "I think picking captains develops over time, it's a very special characteristic to have. You have to do so many things right and it can be an added pressure when everyone is looking at you, so I believe, less pressure may be ideal for our players entering this season amidst all the changes in recent years."
On Tracey's coaching staff this season, Alyson Chiaramonte returns for her second year while Cassidy Petrie and Delanie Cruz join her for their first year as assistant coaches. "Our coaching staff this year will bring out the best in every player. Each coach prides themselves in everything they do, and we want that to translate to the players both on the field and off the field," added Garofalo. If practices are any indication, Dolphins fans can expect a thrilling season on the field.
CSI Softball will start their 2022 season in the sunshine state of Florida playing six double-header games against some quality Division II opponents. All their opponents have started their season already and will have played a handful of games before the Dolphins' first set of games on Wednesday, March 9th. CSI will take on Millersville University at 10:00 AM and will follow for a matchup against The College of Saint Rose at 12:15 PM. On the very next day (Thursday, March 10th), CSI will take on Nyack College at 10:00 AM and then Chestnut Hill College for a 2:30 PM first pitch start time. CSI will wrap up their set of spring games in Florida with matchups against The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown at 10:00 AM and will follow with a 12:15 PM game against Mercyhurst University. Except for one team, all other teams will be meeting for the first time. The Dolphins are 2-0 against Nyack College, though, those games were played back in 1986. CSI's full softball schedule can be found HERE. CSI's full softball 2022 roster can be found HERE.
Most games can be watched LIVE through the opponent's LIVE Video link (if applicable). In addition, be sure to catch all the action (home and away) when the team returns home the week of March 13th and all season long, LIVE on CSI SportsNet or in-person on CSI's Softball Field for home games, and remember to put those FINS UP!
