Staten Island sneaks past softball in doubleheader

STATEN ISLAND, New York - The American International College softball team lost two close games at the College of Staten Island on Wednesday, March 22, falling 4-3 and 9-8.

AIC is now 2-12 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets took advantage of an error to score in the first as Destiny McGrath took two bases on a miscue, and Alexis Jimenez drove her in.

That lead lasted until the fourth, when the Dolphins strung together six hits to bring in four runs and take a 4-1 lead.

AIC battled back, again taking advantage of defensive lapses in the fifth to push a run across. In the seventh, Victoria Andrade drove in Abigail Wells with two outs, but AIC could not get the fourth, tying run across.

In game two, AIC's offense came out blazing. Wells led off with a double and was driven in by Andrade; two batters later, Leah Twyman drove her in with a hit. In the next frame, Wells beat out a two-out single to the pitcher and swiped second, allowing Taylor Murphy to drive her in. 

AIC's big inning came in the third, with Andrade singling and coming in on a Jimenez hit, and then Twyman struck the biggest blast of all, smashing a ball over the left field fence. Wells then drove in a fourth run, pushing Samantha Sanchez home on a grounder to second. Twyman added another RBI in the fourth with a single that plated Andrade, giving the Yellow Jackets an 8-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the Yellow Jackets, the Dolphins had a big fifth. Keyed by eight hits and a pair of walks, thirteen total batters managed nine runs. AIC's offense could not overcome the shock, and Staten Island held on for the win.

AIC opens home an Northeast-10 Conference play against the University of New Haven on Friday, March 24 at 2:30 p.m. for the first game of a doubleheader.