RALEIGH, NC – The College of Staten Island softball team opened its 2026 season Saturday afternoon with a pair of games against Frostburg State and Chowan. The Dolphins will close out their spring trip today with their final two contests, facing Virginia Union at 9:30 AM and Clarion at 11:30 AM.
CSI Faces Clarion Again, Meets Virginia Union for the First Time
The Dolphins previously faced Clarion in 2024 in Winter Haven, FL, where CSI fell 5-0 after the Golden Eagles used an early offensive surge to secure the win.
Sunday's matchup against Virginia Union marks the first meeting between the two programs.
Saturday Recap
CSI opened the season with two losses on Saturday, falling 8-0 to Frostburg State in game one before dropping a 9-1 decision to Chowan in game two. The Dolphins recorded their first run of the season in the second contest.
Bridget Motley led the Dolphins offensively, recording the team's lone RBI while going 1-for-3 across both games with a double. Jianna Lopez scored CSI's only run of the day after hitting a triple and later being driven in by Motley. In the circle, Marena Grenier pitched a complete 5.0 innings against Chowan, striking out six. Kennedie Ruth threw 3.0 innings in the opener and recorded three strikeouts.
Record Comparison
Both CSI and Clarion began their seasons Saturday. The Dolphins dropped both contests to move to 0-2, while the Golden Eagles split their games with a loss to Chowan and a win over Elizabeth City State.
Virginia Union is still searching for its first win of the season, entering Sunday on a 10-game losing streak after opening its campaign on Feb. 8 against Barton College.
2026 CSI Softball Preview
The College of Staten Island softball team is ready to kick off their 2026 season against Chestnut Hill College at the CSI Softball Complex, which has been redesigned as an all-turf field. Last season, the Dolphins finished 19-21 overall and 7-13 in ECC play where they fell one win shy of their first ever ECC postseason berth after splitting with D'Youville on Apr. 27. The 2025 season was their best overall performance since entering Division II with 19 wins, but they stayed stagnant in conference play with their seven wins. The Dolphins this season are under new management with Mark Biancoviso being named the 10th head coach of the CSI Softball program when he arrived in January 2026. He brings forth decades of experience coaching softball through youth to the collegiate levels, and he is going to be joined this season by Michael Kaffl, Tom Reno, Alyssa Polemeni, Gianna DeCesare, and Robert Santiago.
Gametime - 9:30am (Virginia Union) & 11:30am (Clarion University)
Location - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Softball Complex (Field 4- Both Games)
All-Time Series - First Ever Meeting With Virginia Union/Clarion 1-0
Last Meeting- Clarion 5-0 (Winter Haven. FL / 3/8/24)
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