MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The College of Staten Island baseball team wrapped up its Spring Training trip a day early with a late-night non-conference matchup against Southern New Hampshire University at the Cal Ripken Experience.
The game extended into extra innings, where the Penmen pushed across two runs in the 10th to edge the Dolphins, 7-5.
CSI struck first in the bottom of the second inning. Jaden Waterman reached base on a throwing error by the SNHU third baseman and later advanced around the bases. Nicholas Rodriguez brought him home after drawing a walk to give the Dolphins a 1-0 lead. With one out in the frame, Michael Flashner grounded out but recorded an RBI to extend the advantage to 2-0.
The Penmen responded in the top of the third, cutting the deficit to 2-1 before capitalizing on a CSI fielding error to tie the game at two.
The Dolphins regained momentum in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ryan Ortega came around to score following another SNHU error, and Flashner delivered an RBI single to put CSI back in front, 4-2. With the Dolphins closing in on a victory, the Penmen answered with a three-run inning to take their first lead of the game, 5-4, leaving CSI with two innings to respond.
In the bottom half of the frame, Jamel Vera placed a bunt down the third-base line that helped tie the score at five, sending the game into extra innings. In the 10th, the Penmen executed a bunt of their own and added insurance to take a 7-5 lead, leaving the Dolphins with one final opportunity at the plate.
Flashner continued his strong night by reaching base to open the inning, and Jack Kehoe followed with another baserunner to put the tying run aboard and the winning run at the plate. After Vera moved Flashner to third, the Dolphins ultimately rolled into a game-ending double play, sealing the 7-5 result in favor of SNHU.
Flashner led CSI offensively, going 3-5 with two RBIs, while Ortega finished 2-4 with two runs scored. Michael Furst earned the start on the mound, pitching 5.0 innings with five strikeouts. Alex Martinez followed with 3.0 innings of relief and added three strikeouts.
The Dolphins (1-2) will return home early due to inclement weather in New York and are scheduled to resume play on Feb. 28 in Philadelphia against Chestnut Hill College for a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 PM.
GAME AUDIO REPLAY