RALEIGH, NC – The College of Staten Island softball team traveled to Raleigh to compete in the 18th Annual D2 Triangle Classic from Feb. 27–Mar. 1. After the opening day was postponed to Saturday due to inclement weather, the Dolphins began their season with matchups against Frostburg State University and Chowan University.
At the conclusion of the two contests, CSI opened the season 0-2, falling 8-0 to Frostburg State and 9-1 to Chowan.
Frostburg State Summary
The Dolphins faced an early challenge, as the Bobcats scored five runs in the opening inning to take immediate control.
Bridget Motley recorded the first hit of the season for CSI with a first-inning double, but the Dolphins were otherwise limited offensively and were retired in order through much of the early innings. In the fourth, Milene Mendoza sparked momentum with a leadoff single to center field and eventually advanced to third with two outs, but CSI was unable to bring her home for its first run of the season.
Frostburg added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 8-0. In the top of the fifth, Abbie Morris worked a leadoff walk to keep the Dolphins alive, but the rally was cut short as the Bobcats secured the final outs to complete the run-rule victory.
Motley finished with the Dolphins' lone hit, going 1-2 at the plate. Taryn Judson took the loss in the circle, while Kennedie Ruth provided relief, pitching 4.0 innings and striking out three.
Chowan Summary
In the second game of the day, CSI recorded its first run of the season but fell 9-1 to Chowan to conclude Saturday's action.
With the Dolphins serving as the home team, both sides remained scoreless after the first inning. Motley continued her strong start to the season by drawing a walk, but CSI was unable to capitalize.
The Hawks broke the game open in the second and third innings, scoring all nine of their runs during that stretch. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dolphins answered with their first run of the season when Jianna Lopez led off the inning with a triple and later scored on an RBI from Motley.
Both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the contest, resulting in the 9-1 final.
Motley recorded the RBI, while Lopez went 1-2 with a run scored. Marena Grenier pitched a complete 5.0 innings and struck out six.
CSI returns to action Sunday at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex for the final day of the D2 Triangle Classic. The Dolphins will face Virginia Union University at 9:30 AM followed by Clarion University at 11:30 AM.