The College of Staten Island Baseball team is looking to continue their winning ways this afternoon, hosting FDU-Florham for a single, nine-inning, game at the CSI Baseball Complex at 3:30pm. CSI is on a season-best four-game win streak, while the Devils are looking to get back into the win column after dropping two-straight.
CSI vs. FDU-FLORHAM
Matchup: College of Staten Island (13-13) vs. FDU-Florham (9-23)
Where: CSI Baseball Complex – 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY
All-Time Series: FDU leads, 12-9
Last Meeting: April 29, 2014 – FDU won 4-2
Players to Watch (CSI): John Pomarico is coming off of CSI’s hottest week at the plate, lifting his batting average to .278 after a big four games this past week. Eight of his 15 total hits this season have gone for extra bases. Jordan Wilson has taken over the team lead in hitting, posting a .338 batting average overall, placing second with 26 total hits while leading the team in runs scored with 19 and 11 stolen bases. Both Nick Meola and Anthony DiMarco are next in line with .333 batting averages. Meola leads the team with 29 hits, which include 12 doubles, easily the highest on the team. He also leads the team with 17 RBI. Chris Capellan and Thomas Musso lead the way on the mound, each with four wins this season. Senior Juan Rodriguez could get the start tonight. He is coming off of his best game this season, throwing seven scoreless innings against USMMA last week.
Players to Watch (FDU): AJ Yurista is the team’s hottest hitter this season, sporting a .322 batting average in 31 games, 29 as a starter. He leads the pack with 37 hits and has added 18 RBI and 19 runs plated. Ian Havran is the only other regular starter batting over .300, as he sits with a .301 mark. spreading out 28 hits and 17 walks this season. Raynaldo Diaz has been a force at the plate this season. He leads the Devils with 25 RBI and 26 runs scored. Joseph Caster is FDU’s leader on the mound. Through three starts, he boasts a 2-0 record with a team-best 3.21 ERA. Brad Norris leads all pitchers with over 45 innings pitched and is 2-5 this season with a 4.96 ERA.
News & Notes: Today’s game continues a rivalry that has lied dormant since 2014. The team’s have split the last four meetings dating back to 2006, which was also the last time CSI beat FDU at home, a 13-5 decision. Overall, CSI is just 4-7 all-time against FDU at home while they are 5-5 when they play in Florham. FDU has won the last two meetings played at CSI. The Dolphins are 10-4 overall at home this season (7-3 at the CSI Baseball Complex), while FDU is struggling on the road, going just 3-9. These two teams share three common opponents. CSI is 1-2 against those teams while FDU is 0-6. The difference is the matchups against Purchase College. CSI defeated Purchase, 10-8 on Sunday, while FDU lost twice to the Panthers, 11-0, and 9-5.
