The College of Staten Island softball team stayed perfect at home this season with the sweep against Western Connecticut State University at the CSI Softball Complex.  The Dolphins battled out to a 1-0 win in game one before cruising past the Colonials 13-0 in game two.  The pair of wins extends the Dolphins win streak to 13 in a row and bumps their record to 17-3 overall.
 
Game 1: Staten Island 1, Western Conn. 0
 
The Dolphins needed just two hits in the first game to put a run on the board in a pitching duel that would go in favor of Jacqueline Cautela for her eight win of the year.  Cautela keeps her dropped her nation leading ERA from 0.15 to 0.13 as she blanked the Colonials while allowing six hits with seven strikeouts.
 
Despite being out-hit 6-2 the Dolphins made their chances count.  A lead-off walk by Patricia Riches was followed by a pair of fielder’s choices to load the bases.  A third straight fielder’s choice would pave the way for the Dolphins to score as Jamie Holmes was the one to bring home Riches for the games lone run.  The Colonials threatened to score with a triple during the game but were unable to capitalize on it as the fielding by the Dolphins was impenetrable.
 
Nicolette Trapani would finish 1-for-2 while Riches would go 1-for-2 with the games lone run. 
 
Game 2: Staten Island 13, Western Conn. 0
 
The second game was the complete opposite of the first.  The first game was a defensive battle whereas the second game was a slug fest for the Dolphins.  Alison Meagher had one of her finest outings of the season, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit with 10 strikeouts. Meagher dropped her ERA down to a 0.83 and improved her record to 3-1 on the year.
 
The scoring began for the Dolphins in the second inning when Kristy Colangelo reached first via a throwing error by Kayla Jessup.  Jamie Holmes would move Colangelo over to second base but was able to advance to third on yet another throwing error by Jessup. Christina Ceverizzo would load the bases after she took the first pitch off of the shoulder.  Julianna Cretella had the opportunity to drive home multiple runs but was unable to get it out of the infield as Tori Dugan tossed Colangelo out at the plate. With two outs on the board and bases loaded, Cautela stepped to the plate and belted a two RBI single to center field and moved to second on a fielding error by Brittany Stancavage. On that same play Cretella was able to score all the way from first to give the Dolphins three runs. A fielding error by the first baseman would allow Antoinette Galbo to reach first while also allowing Cautela to score to give the Dolphins a 4-0 lead.
 
The Colonials suffered four errors in that innings while the Dolphins would score four runs on just two hits.
 
There would be a lull in the action in the third inning however action picked back up again in the bottom of the four as Staten Island tallied 9 runs.  The Dolphins would record seven hits and score 9 runs to bump their lead up to 13-0 while the Colonials suffered another pair of errors. Trapani would lead the Dolphins off with a single through the left side. From there, Cretella would follow up with a single to center field.  Trapani would cross home plate thanks to a double to right center by Cautela which started the scoring spree for the Dolphins. Galbo would reach first on a fielder’s choice RBI as Cretella would cross the dish.  As the Colonials tried to get Cretella out at home Galbo would advance to second as the throw was high which allowed Cautela to score as well.   Western Connecticut decided to intentionally walk Riches as they thought they stood a better chance against Vanessa Jioia.  Jioia would go to prove that was a foolish move as she would hit a single to right field which loaded the bases once more.
 
Colangelo would bring home Galbo which then brought up a rather strange turn of events.  Galbo was able to beat the throw home, barely beating out the force.  With the catcher standing right in front of the plate would the ball, Riches would sneak past her to score yet another run for the Dolphins.  Nicole Meilak pinch hit for Ceverizzo and collected a pair of RBIs when she hit a shot to right center field for a bases clearing triple. Meilak would not have to wait long as her teammate Cretella would single to left center which allowed Meilak to cross quickly.
 
Alison Meagher was able to close out the game quickly in the top of the first to give the Dolphins their 17th win of the year.
 
Cautela capped off game two, 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs while Cretella finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.
 
The Dolphins will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they square off against CUNYAC rivals Hunter College at 12pm at the CSI Softball Complex.