CSI's Chyanne Gilliam went 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored

Set against the backdrop of a steady snowfall, the College of Staten Island women’s softball team dropped their home and season opener today, falling to SUNY-New Paltz by a 12-8 count in non-conference play.  Scheduled for a doubleheader, the second game was canceled due to the weather, which saturated the field, rendering it unplayable.  CSI fell to 0-1 overall while the Hawks improved to 1-0.

Conditions were sloppy from the start.  With temperatures in the high 30’s, the snow actually began just in time for opening pitch, as Victoria Procopio debuted for the Dolphins in the pitcher’s circle.  After getting out of the first inning virtually unscathed, New Paltz attacked in the second frame, scoring four runs.  A Meg Brewer single, followed by walks to both Melissa Kump and Emily Mouillesseaux, loaded the bases with no one out.  Procopio was able to retire the next two batters via the fielder’s choice with both plays at home plate registering outs, but back to the top of the order, the Hawks hit paydirt.  First, Shayna Burgess blasted a two-RBI single in the gap in left field, and then another two-RBI single by Noelle Grande gave the visitors a commanding 4-0 lead after 1.5 innings.

CSI got a run back in the third inning when Brittany Smith laced a double down the left field line, and then proceeded to take third and home on the fielding error by Grande.  In the next inning, CSI chased NP starter Brewer by scoring another three runs, tying the game at 4-4 after four innings.  The highlight came on a pinch-hit two-RBI double by freshman Jennie Hosty and another RBI single by fellow frosh Chyanne Gilliam.

The Dolphins took their one and only lead in the fifth when Samantha Tallerine singled home Procopio, who led the inning off by gaining a base via another NP error, part of four on the day by the Hawks.  But the Hawks retaliated by getting the lead back in the sixth, highlighted by RBI singles from Burgess and Marissa Monaco.  Down 7-5, CSI drew to within one when Brittany Smith singled in Gilliam, who tripled earlier in the inning, making it 7-6 going into the final inning.

With the snow really starting to soften the field and the dropping temperatures becoming a factor, the game took a heavy turn in the final inning.  New Paltz scattered four hits and five runs to blow the game open.  A bases-load walk to Jordan Fiore got the barrage started, and after another BI-single by Burgess, Monaco provided the big hit, lacing a three-RBI double to the centerfield wall, giving NP all the insurance it needed.

CSI countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame, but NP still walked away with a 12-8 win.  Erika Traina scored the win, going 3.2 innings in relief, while Procopio suffered the loss.  NP scattered 14 hits including three each from Burgess, Monaco, and Emily Frawley.  CSI saw multi-hit games from Smith (2-4), Samantha Tallerine (2-4) and Gilliam (2-3).

After the game, the umpires huddles with groundskeepers to determine that the second game would not be played.

CSI is back in action on Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader with the College of New Rochelle at 5pm at the CSI Softball Complex.