Staten Island, N.Y. – The College of Mount Saint Vincent Baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader at the College of Staten Island on Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins extended their

Joe Blackford recorded his eighth career save in game one on Saturday

winning streak to eight games with a 6-5 game one victory before falling in the backend 11-6. Sophomore John McManus (Bayside, N.Y.) drove in three runs in the game one win, while James Labartino (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Brendan Russo (Westbury, N.Y.) picked up two hits each in game two.

In the opener, the Mount plated two runs in the top of the first to take an early two run lead. McManus drove in both the runs with a two out double to center field. Staten Island cut its deficit in half in the home half of the second inning when Henry Roman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Staten Island jumped in front 4-2 with a three run frame in the fourth. Staten Island collected two hits in the inning and also took advantage of a pair of Mount Saint Vincent errors. Thomas DeWaters collected a two-run single in the inning and Steve Hession ripped a run scoring double in the frame.

The Mount would fall behind 5-3 after Staten Island tacked on a run in the sixth, before the Dolphins collected four runs in the top of the seventh to pick up the come-from-behind victory. The Mount got hits from Joe Blackford (Stewartsville, N.J.) and McManus in the inning and also used a pair of errors by Staten Island to extend the inning. Blackford plated a pair of runs with a single and McManus drove in his third of the game with a single to center field.

Josh Cuozzo (Westbury, N.Y.) and McManus each picked up two hits and combined for four of the Mount's five safeties in the contest. Mike Pope (Massapequa, N.Y.) and Mike Ruckdaschel (East Meadow, N.Y.) both crossed with two runs in the winning effort in game one.

Mike Trainor (Patterson, N.Y.) made the start and took a no decision for the Dolphins. He worked 5.1 innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits. He struck out one and walked five. Matt Calandrillo (Cold Spring, N.Y.) picked up the win in relief after going two-thirds of an inning and allowing just one hit. Blackford worked the seventh and recorded his third save of the season. Staten Island would have the tying run thrown out at the plate in the seventh.

Mount Saint Vincent got a good start again in game two, scoring a run in its first at-bat. Russo tripled in the inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Ruckdaschel to push the Dolphins in front early on in the contest.

Staten Island came back with three runs in the bottom of the first inning and broke the game open with a six spot in the home half of the third to jump out to a 9-1 lead. Mount Saint Vincent got back to within three runs with five in the top of the fourth inning, but would not plate another run after that. Russo doubled in a run in the big fourth inning and Labartino drove in a pair of runs in the frame with his eighth double of the season.

Labartino, Russo and Danny Watson (Queens, N.Y.) each finished with a pair of hits in game two with Russo leading the way with two runs scored. Labartino scored a run in the contest and also drove in a pair.

Ruckdaschel took the loss for the Mount after working 2.1 innings. He allowed five earned runs, seven overall, on six hits. He fanned one Staten Island batter and walked two. James Mardikos picked up the win for Staten Island, allowing five earned runs over 5.0 innings.

The split on Saturday moves the Mount to 12-8 overall on the season. The Dolphins will return to Skyline Conference play on Sunday afternoon when they travel to preseason favorite Farmingdale St. The doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.