The College of Staten Island softball squad will bring out the bats to start their 2018 campaign today when they take on Otterbein and #2 St. John Fisher in Tucson, Arizona. The Tucson Invitational will see the Dolphins take on eight teams lasting from today, March 7th until Sunday March 11.

 

CSI vs. OTTERBEIN & #2 ST. JOHN FISHER
Matchup: College of Staten Island (0-0) vs. Otterbein (4-4), #2 St. John Fisher (3-5)
Where:  Tucson Invitational – Tucson, AZ
All-Time Series:
Last Meeting:
Players to Watch (CSI): Last year’s CUNYAC Rookie of the Year, Patricia Riches will look to have an outstanding start to the season much like last season where she came back from Florida batting .800+. Riches, now in her second year, will continue to improve starting with top ranked St. John Fisher in the second game today.  In the circle, the duo of Nicolette Trapani and Alison Meagher should be up to the task of shutting down opposing batters after placing top-2 all-time at the College of Staten Island with sub 1.00 ERA. In the field, Antoinette Galbo will be a field general in the infield, making sure to keep the runners off of the bases while Vanessa Jioia puts the ball into play to help move her team around the bases.
Players to Watch (SJF): The Cardinals have a head start on the Dolphins as they are already eight games into their season. Sammie Torlish paces the Cardinals with .583 batting average and 9 RBI, both of which are team-highs. Katie Mazierski sits second on the team with a .519 batting average and a team-high 14 hits. Mazierski also knows her way around the bases as she leads the team with four stolen bases. Sarah Kubik is the power hitter for St. John’s and leads the team with three home runs. In the circle, Lindsey Thayer is the ace with a 3.36 through five appearances.
Players to Watch (OU): Otterbein, much like St. John Fisher has already started their season and also have eight games under their belt. The Cardinals are paced by Savannah Sarkine with a .500 batting average and a team-high seven RBI and four home runs. Despite hitting .292 Maddie Flasko, is tied for the lead with seven RBI and has been walked the most on the team. Gabby Johnson has appeared in 21 innings and has posted a 4.20 ERA, good for second on the team.
News & Notes: The Dolphins will be eager to step on the field after poor weather has kept them inside and cancelled four games already. Staten Island will field a reloaded team ready to make another splash in the NCAA tournament for the fifth straight year. The Dolphins will be tested immediately as they face one of the nations best teams in St. John Fisher.  Otterbein will prove to also be a formidable opponent after losing by just one run to #11 Christopher Newport.