STATEN ISLAND, NY - Spring season is just around the corner, and the College of Staten Island softball team is gearing up for another campaign under new head coach Mark Biancoviso, who joined the Dolphins in late January. With just under a month remaining before the Dolphins' regular-season opener, the East Coast Conference (ECC) released its 2026 Softball Coaches Poll along with the preseason major award selections. Among the honorees, senior pitcher Kennedie Ruth was named Co-Preseason Pitcher of the Year following a career-best performance in the circle during the 2025 season.
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Ruth was the team's top pitcher for the last two seasons; Top-5 in multiple ECC pitching categories
Since joining the Dolphins as a sophomore, Ruth has been a staple at the top of CSI's pitching staff. She led the team with a 3.77 ERA across 122.2 innings pitched while recording 58 strikeouts. In 2025, Ruth elevated her performance, posting a career-best 3.41 ERA over 86.1 innings with a 7-8 record and 70 strikeouts. She ranked among the top five pitchers in the ECC in ERA, lowest opposing batting average (.260), and fewest runs allowed (53). Additionally, she finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the conference in strikeouts, batters struck out looking, and wins.
At the conclusion of last season, the Dolphins fell just one win shy of their first-ever ECC postseason appearance after a doubleheader split with D'Youville. Ruth earned the start in game one and delivered a complete-game performance, allowing just one run while striking out five in a 2-1 victory. Game two featured a high-scoring battle, as CSI erupted for five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. The Saints responded with two runs in the fourth, and after the Dolphins regained a two-run advantage with a three-run inning to go up 8-6, D'Youville answered with four runs in the seventh while holding CSI scoreless to deny the Dolphins a postseason berth.
In the 2026 ECC Coaches Poll, the Dolphins were picked seventh, earning seven points.
2026 East Coast Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. St. Thomas Aquinas College – 33 points (5 first-place votes)
2. D'Youville University – 29 points (1 first-place vote)
3. Mercy University – 24 points
4. Molloy University – 20 points
5. Queens College – 13 points
6. College of Staten Island – 7 points
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