FLEMINGTON, NJ – The College of Staten Island baseball team traveled to Flemington, NJ, on Thursday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader against Holy Family University at Diamond Nation. In the 7-inning twin bill, the Dolphins captured Game One with a 4-3 victory before the Tigers responded with a 5-1 win in Game Two to split the day.
Game One – CSI 4, Holy Family 3
The Dolphins struck early in the opening inning as Michael Flashner reached base on a Tigers error to give CSI an immediate baserunner. The miscue proved costly for Holy Family, as Flashner advanced to third before Nicholas Rodriguez brought him home with a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 lead.
Following the early run, Holy Family held the Dolphins scoreless over the next four innings while taking a 2-1 lead on a home run in the bottom of the fourth. CSI responded in the fifth inning when Rodriguez delivered again, lining a single to center field that drove in two runs and put the Dolphins back in front, 3-2, with two innings remaining.
Both teams traded strong pitching down the stretch, but the Dolphins were able to hold off the Tigers to secure the 4-3 victory in the seven-inning opener.
Rodriguez accounted for three RBI in the game, finishing 1-3 at the plate. Ryan Ortega went 2-3 with a run scored, while Flashner and Christopher Reilly each crossed the plate once, with Reilly finishing 1-3.
On the mound, Nicholas Chiaia earned his first win of the season, pitching 4.2 innings and striking out five. Jack Kehoe recorded his second save of the year, tossing a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
Game Two – Holy Family 5, CSI 1
The nightcap opened with two scoreless innings from both sides. In the top of the third, the Dolphins threatened but left two runners stranded. Holy Family capitalized in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs to take a commanding 5-0 lead.
CSI was kept off the scoreboard until the seventh inning when Flashner drew a walk and Julian Velazquez was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Flashner later advanced to third on a Jamel Vera fielder's choice and scored on another fielder's choice, giving the Dolphins their lone run of the game. However, the rally fell short as the Tigers held on for the 5-1 win.
Flashner drew three walks in the game, while Kehoe added four walks on the day. Ortega finished 1-2 at the plate.
Michael Furst started on the mound for the Dolphins and pitched 2.0 innings, while Anthony Salmonese followed with 3.0 innings of relief, striking out three.
CSI returns to action on Saturday for another 7-inning doubleheader against Caldwell University. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Robertson Field in Manhattan, NY.
