The College of Staten Island women’s softball program got back to action this past weekend after a three-week layoff and the result was quite impressive as CSI was able to move easily past Brooklyn College. CSI junior Jacqueline Cautela was a big reason why and was awarded CUNYAC Pitcher of the Week honors for her superior effort on Sunday. The hurler was also cited by HeroSports.com as one of its finalists for HERO of the Week honors. An online poll will decide if she earns the award next week.
Cautela’s appearance was short and sweet on Sunday. She needed to go just five innings against Brooklyn but was lights-out, facing the minimum 15 batters en-route to a perfect game in the 21-0 CSI win. Cautela retired 13 of the 15 batters via strikeout, a career high and the fourth-highest total in CSI single game history. Although it didn’t factor into the decision, Cautela did just as much damage at the plate, going a combined 7-9 (.778) at the dish with seven RBI, seven runs scored, four doubles, and a stolen base. The impressive body of work moved her to 5-2 this season with a 1.37 ERA in a team-leading 41 innings pitched. She also leads the squad with six complete games and 35 strikeouts. She has not allowed an earned run in 17 innings, dating back to a March 1 contest against Texas Lutheran University.
Cautela is the second Dolphins player to be cited as a national HERO of the Week candidate from HeroSports.com, a national web source that statistically ranks teams in every NCAA Division in virtually every NCAA sport. Sophomore Nicolette Trapani was one of five finalists two weeks ago and won the online poll a week ago, earning CSI’s first ever HERO of the Week citation in any sport. To vote, visit the HeroSports.com web page HERE.
