Box Score
The Lehman College baseball team (3-10 Overall, 1-3 CUNYAC) dropped a non-conference game to the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island (9-6 Overall, 2-0 CUNYAC) by a score of 11-8 Monday afternoon at the South Field in the Bronx. With the victory, the Dolphins completed the three-game season sweep of Lehman College.
Lightning starter Jason Caraballo got off to a strong start in the game, getting through the first inning without allowing a run. In the bottom of the frame, Lehman took the lead in the bottom of the first inning against Dolphins starter James Mardikos when an RBI single by senior Andrew Rosario brought home one run and an error by CSI catcher Brian Moreno allowed another run to score. After one inning of play, the Lightning led 2-0.
CSI would strike back with two runs in the top of the second inning thanks to a two-RBI single by Thomas DeWaters. Lehman failed to score in the bottom of the second inning, and after two, the game was tied 2-2. In the top of the third, the Dolphins took the lead thanks to a two-RBI triple by Tom DiPietro that scored Devon DiCasoli and Pat Gale. The Lightning were held at bay in the bottom of the third, and after three innings, CSI held a 4-2 advantage.
After the Dolphins plated a run in the top of the fourth and Lehman didn't score in the bottom of the fourth, Caraballo worked himself into a bases loaded, one out jam and was replaced by Francisco Sanchez who struck out both Steve Hession and DiCasoli to avoid damage. The Lightning would then plate a run in the bottom of the fifth to cut CSI's lead to two, at 5-3.
Both teams would then explode for four runs apiece in the sixth inning. Highlighting CSI's big frame was an RBI double by Mark Glennerster. Gale, DiPietro, Moreno, and Glennerster scored the four Staten Island runs in the inning.
Trailing 9-3 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Lehman's bats came alive. After the inning started with a strikeout of Douglas Choi, Mardikos allowed consecutive singles. A wild pitch and an error on Moreno brought Lehman to within 9-4, signaling the end of Mardikos' day. Mardikos was replaced by Joe Jacobson who would strike out William Rivera for the second out of the inning. Lehman's Emmanuel Vera would then walk, and then Bobby Villante was hit by a pitch. Gilbert Garcia would then hit a two-RBI single to cut Lehman to within three runs at 9-6. Consecutive walks to Amadoernesto Guzman and Andrew Rosario made it a 9-7 affair, and Jacobson was lifted by CSI Head Coach Mike Mauro for Mike DiGiovanna. DiGiovanna would strike out Choi to end Lehman's threat and the inning.
Lehman's Adam Kolinoski would hurl the final three innings for the Lightning, keeping his team in the game by allowing just two runs (one earned) on one hit while walking two batters and striking out five (he struck out the side in the ninth). The Lightning's bats, however, would only manage one run for the remainder of the game as CSI went on for the three-run victory.
For CSI, Mardikos picked up the victory, allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits while walking two and striking out six batters. Offensively for CSI, Gale led the way by finishing 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored. DiPietro finished 1-for-3 with a big triple, two runs scored, two walks, and two RBI's. For Lehman College, Caraballo took the loss, allowing five runs (all earned) on seven hits while walking five and striking out six. At the dish for Lehman, Garcia finished 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI's. Jose Santiago also had a big day at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
The Lightning will return to action tomorrow afternoon as Lehman takes to the road to battle the College of Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins, with game-time scheduled for 3:30pm.
