Strong pitching and timely hitting lifts the Dolphins to a sweep as they strengthen their playoff position.
By: Tisha Burton
The CSI softball team swept away a doubleheader against Queens College, closing out the day with a 2-0 victory in the second game on April 18 at the CSI Softball Complex.
After winning the first game earlier in the day at 12 PM, CSI continued this strong defense into game two’s performance. The CSI Dolphins were able to hold the Queens College Knights scoreless across all seven innings, limiting them to just four hits, and they were able to maintain control throughout the matchup.
CSI was able to get on the board during the first inning when Jianna Lopez reached base and later scored to give the Dolphins a 1-0 lead. This turned the game into a defensive battle, with both teams trying to generate offense over the next several innings.
After getting a runner into scoring position, another standout player, Marlene Mendoza, delivered an RBI single. She was able to bring in the second and final run of the game in the sixth inning. This secured the Dolphins’ lead. The hit secured the advantage for CSI to complete the shutout victory.
Pitcher Kennedie Ruth led the defensive effort in earning the win while striking out three batters. Having a strong team behind her, along with her consistent pitching, CSI was able to stop Queens College from creating any scoring opportunities.
The crowd was not big, but staff and fans in attendance contributed to the overall atmosphere of the game. The loud cheers, encouraging words, and support for the players created a fun environment for all. Amanda Backstrom, a security guard working the event, said she was familiar with both the environment and some of the players.
“I cover a couple of these games, especially during spirit week,” Backstrom said. “Our department is always around to help protect the games, and I actually recognize some of the girls because they live in the dorms.”
The small but mighty crowd included dedicated supporters like “Dave the super fan,” who took public transportation all the way from Queens to come out and support Queens College. He explained that even though Queens College was his first choice, he extends his loyalty across all CUNY athletes.
“Queens is my number one school,” he said. “But if they lose, I will be supporting the Dolphins. I support all the CUNY teams. Whoever is playing next, that’s my team.”
Following the game, CSI player Jianna Lopez reflected on the team’s performance and just how important the win meant to her.
“I feel pretty good,” Lopez said. “Today was a great team win, and it’s something we really needed after losing a couple games in a row.”
Lopez also expressed the need for continued improvement as the season progresses.
“I think we put ourselves in a good position after today, but we still have to keep working to beat the teams we lost to,” she said. “Right now we’re in a good spot for the playoffs, but we want to hold onto that position.”
Even though it was a close game, CSI’s ability to execute key plays during the correct times made a world of difference, ensuring that this close game played out in their favor. The Dolphins were able to finish with five hits compared to Queens College’s four in a closely contested game.
The doubleheader sweep shows CSI’s ability to stay focused and maintain momentum across multiple games. With timely hitting, strong defense, and a renewed sense of confidence, the Dolphins demonstrate their potential as they continue to push towards the rest of season.
