Tucson, AZ | The Dolphins escaped falling behind early but a single to center and double to center later in the game would hand Staten Island their first loss of the season, 2-0, at the hands of Otterbein University.  Otterbein improved to 6-4 on the year while the Dolphins drop to 0-1. The Dolphins next took on #2 St. John Fisher and would drop to 0-2 on the year after a 7-0 loss at the Tucson Invitational. 

Game 1: Otterbein 2, Staten Island 0

Nicolette Trapani got the start for the Dolphins in the circle and pitched well, keeping the Dolphins in the game, forcing the Cardinals to either fly out or hit right to their infield players. It wasn’t until the third inning that Otterbein was able to find success against Trapani.  A lead-off single by Shaw to left field followed by a deep single to center field allowed Shaw to cross the plate for the first run of the game.

The Dolphins struggled early on to get their bat on the ball but as the game drew on they started to hit their groove.  However, the hits would go unanswered as Staten Island left 9 batters on base to just six for Otterbein. Christina Cerverizzo made the most of her chances at the dish, going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles to the left side. Patricia Riches also found success at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles. 

With just one out in the fourth inning, the Dolphins threatened to score with two players on but were unable to capitalize.  Antoinette Galbo hit what looked to be a sure RBI, however, a diving grab out in right field prevented the Dolphins from scoring. 

Otterbein would once again cross the dish in the sixth when Garner hit a leadoff double to center. Garner wouldn’t have to wait long as the very at-bat she was brought home by another double to center field. The Dolphins would catch some bad luck as Galbo was able to beat out a throw to get an infield single only to be caught in a double play after Julianna Cretella hit a liner right back to the pitcher. 

Riches would do her best to keep the game alive for the Dolphins, however, she would get thrown out at first to end the game.

Game 2: #2 St. John Fisher 7, Staten Island 0

The Dolphins were only able to tally two hits against the nation’s top pitcher, Lindsey Thayer, this afternoon in their second game of the afternoon. CSI fell to the national power, St. John Fisher and dropped to 0-2 on the year while the Cardinals evened out at 5-5 after stumbling earlier in the year. 

Alison Meagher took on the Cardinals in the second game this afternoon and after a rocky start was able to settle in and start to find her groove.  Unfortunately, the Dolphins were unable to get their bats going leading to her first loss of the season. 

Jamie Holmes got the first hit for the Dolphins after taking ball one and fouling off four straight, she was able to get a hold of one and sent it into center field for a single. Much like the first game, Holmes was stranded on the bases. St. John Fisher used four hits to score three runs in the bottom of the second to jump out to a 3-0 lead over the Dolphins. 
The Cardinals would increase their lead by one in the following inning that was aided by an error that allowed the inning to continue. Staten Island continued to battle at the plate but was unable to catch up to Thayer as CSI kept it in the infield which allowed the Cardinals to throw easy outs. 

Another error allowed the Cardinals to add two more runs to their lead, stretching their lead out to 6-0 over the Dolphins. Galbo tried to jumpstart the Dolphins’ offense, however, a solid play by Julia Sortisio in center field prevented that from happening. 

The Cardinals added one more run before knocking down the Dolphins in order.  Riches crushed a shot to deep right center and tried to turn her double into a triple but just missed beating out the tag at third.  
  
Vanessa Jioia would ground out to the second baseman to close out the game, giving the Dolphins their second loss on the day. 

Up next for the Dolphins will be Rockford University and #6 Trine at 9:00 am and 11:00 am (MST).