STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island softball team hosted its first home doubleheader of the season Tuesday afternoon at the newly renovated CSI Softball Complex, taking on Chestnut Hill College. The Dolphins earned their first doubleheader sweep of the season, winning game one 11–9 and game two 3–1.
Game One – CSI 11, Chestnut Hill 9
In a high-scoring opener, the Griffins struck first with four runs to take an early 4–0 lead. The Dolphins quickly responded, however, plating four runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Bridget Motley ignited the rally with a single before RBI at-bats from Aliveah Warner and Madilyn Paul helped even the score heading into the second inning.
Chestnut Hill regained the lead with two runs in the top of the second, but CSI answered with its most productive inning of the day, scoring five runs to move in front. Emma O'Neill started the rally with a triple to put herself in scoring position with one out. Presley Borne followed with an RBI single to bring O'Neill home, while hits from Motley, Warner, and Abbie Morris drove in four more runs as the Dolphins took a 9–6 lead after two innings.
Both teams were held scoreless over the next three frames before the Dolphins added insurance in the sixth. Borne led off with a single, and later Jianna Lopez and Angelina Guerriero, running for Warner,each came around to score, extending the lead to 11–6.
The Griffins mounted a late rally in the seventh, scoring three runs, but the Dolphins held on for the 11–9 victory.
Warner led the offense with a perfect 4-4 performance and three RBI, while Morris also drove in three runs while going 3-4. Motley finished 2-4 with two RBI, and Paul went 2-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Kennedie Ruth earned the win in the circle, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts.
Game Two – CSI 3, Chestnut Hill 1
Game two began as a pitching duel, with both teams held scoreless through the first three innings. The Dolphins broke through in the bottom of the fourth. Borne once again started the rally with a single, continuing her strong day at the plate. Lopez followed with a double, allowing Borne to score the game's first run. Lopez later crossed the plate on a Griffins error to extend the lead to 2–0.
CSI added its final run of the game when Soleil Smith delivered a sacrifice fly that brought home Paul, giving the Dolphins a 3–0 advantage. Chestnut Hill scored a run in the top of the seventh to threaten late, but Marena Grenier closed out the inning to secure the doubleheader sweep.
Lopez and Borne each finished 1-3 with a run scored in game two. Grenier earned her second win of the season, tossing a complete game while striking out six.
The Dolphins (3–3) return to action next Tuesday, March 17, when they host Jefferson University for a doubleheader at the CSI Softball Complex beginning at 2:00 PM.
GAME REPLAY