Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island made their long-awaited home opener this afternoon, taking on John Jay at the CSI Baseball Complex in their first CUNYAC doubleheader of the season. The Dolphins played wire-to-wire with the Bloodhounds in both games, edging them out, 4-3, in game one and, 7-6, in game two. The pair of wins boosts the Dolphins to 8-8, 3-0 while the Bloodhounds drop to 6-12, 1-3. 

Game 1: Staten Island 4, John Jay 3 (10 innings)

The Dolphins scattered 9 hits through 10 innings and scored four runs in the first game of the doubleheader. The Bloodhounds surrendered four errors in the game, aiding the Dolphins’ late-game surge. Joe Amato was the hero of the game, coming in as a designated hitter, taking two pitches, before lining one through the left side for a game-winning RBI single which scored Jett Nouvertne from second.

John Jay was the team first on the scoreboard with a two-run second inning. The scoring started when Sean Napier reached first via a base on balls followed by a single up the middle by Ryan Osborne. Neither would have to wait on the bases long as C.J. Meyer singled to center field, scoring Napier from second to give the Bloodhounds the early lead. John Jay would double up on their lead after an error by Derek Jentz allowed the second run to cross the dish.

After a scoreless third inning, the Dolphins even up the score in the bottom of the fourth. Once again, a scoring inning would start with a leadoff walk.  Jett Nouvertne moved Glenn Glennerster over to second with a successful bunt, giving the Dolphins two runners on with no outs. Jordan Wilson collected his fourth RBI of the season when he drove home Glennerster. The Dolphins’ second run came on the same play as Lozada rounded third after a throwing error allowed him to score and knot the game up.

Neither team would score again until the sixth inning after more errors extended each inning, allowing each team to score a run. Jeremy Sheetz drove in the run for the Bloodhounds in the top of the sixth. Staten Island benefitted from a passed ball, scoring Lozada from second after he reached on via a base on balls.

Three innings would pass before the next run would be scored. Chris Karnbach came into the game at the top of the 10th and shut down the Bloodhounds despite walking two straight batters. 

The Dolphins would once again benefit from an error as Nouvertne reached on a fielding error by the second baseman.  Lozada would move Nouvertne into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.  Amato stepped to the plate in a pinch-hitting role and gave the Dolphins the win with a single through the left side. 

Karnbach picked up the win, moving to 2-2 on the year, pitching one inning and facing just four batters. 

Sean Becker finished the game 2-for-4 and eight putouts while Jett Nouvertne scored two runs and went 1-for-5.  

Game 2: Staten Island 7, John Jay 6

The second game continued the story of game one with neither team able to take a large lead.  Both Staten Island and John Jay stayed within arms reach of one another in a classic CUNYAC showdown. 

Much like game one, the Bloodhounds found their way onto the scoreboard first, scoring one run on an infield single RBI. John Jay added a pair of runs in the next inning using three hits to gather the pair of runs. The Dolphins used the bottom of the second frame to tie the game at three. 

CSI scored their three runs with two outs on the board.  Jordan Wilson got the Dolphins’ bats going with a single to left field.  On that play, Lozada took advantage of an overthrow and cruised home for the first Dolphins run of the frame. Nouvertne brought both Amato and Wilson home with a single up the middle.  Nouvertne would put his speed up against the throwing power of the catcher after Sean Becker walked and would be caught stealing third to end the inning. 

The scoring continued in the bottom of the third for the Dolphins, with two runners on, Anthony Lozada singled through the right side to score Muzzio from second base. 

Staten Island would add another pair in the fourth, using a Meola and a DiMarco double to score the pair putting the Dolphins up 6-3 with three innings to go.

After going scoreless for two frames John Jay became active again, collecting three runs to knot the game up at six. The Bloodhounds got their bats going early when Brandon Thomas singled to left field. Two more Bloodhounds would single with Osborne’s scoring Thomas. Garcia then flew out to Glennerster in left field, however, Martinez was able to cross the dish for another run. Osborne would finally cross the plate when Meyer put one into center field which tied the game for the second time with one inning to go.

With the game tied, Becker came to the plate and blasted the ball over the left field fence for a solo home run, giving the Dolphins what would be the game-winning run. 

John Jay nearly tied the game up at the top of the seventh as Osborne tripled but would get stranded as Tom Musso would come in and get the save while Karnbach earned his second win of the day, pitching in a total of 2.2 innings.

Meola had a good game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run while Nouvertne finished 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI. Wilson crossed home plate two times while going 2-for-3 in the game.

Up next for the Dolphins is non-conference opponents, Ramapo College, a team they took 12 innings last year and used a Bobby Drake infield single to win, 9-8.

GAME VIDEO