(COURTEST OF CUNYAC)

Staten Island played from behind practically the entire game, but the way they were able to finish ensured them a chance to take the CUNYAC Championship. The Dolphins scored five runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat Baruch 7-4 and force a decisive game 7.

After trading zeroes in the first inning, Baruch's Matthew Ballone opened the afternoon's scoring in a big way. The second baseman drilled a home run to deep left field, scoring Nicholas LaForgia and giving the Bearcats the early 2-0 lead. Staten Island starter Jeff Manzi appeared rattled following the shot, hitting the next batter and walking two more to load the bases. Manzi began his at bat against Eric Ulino by throwing two straight balls, which prompted CSI coach Mike Mauro to make a pitching change. Anthony Storz threw two of the next three pitches out of the zone, walking in the third Bearcat run of the game. Storz got Zachary Uher to pop out to second to escape with minimal damage done.

Baruch threatened again in the top of the sixth inning. With runners on the corners and two outs, Uher once again stepped to the plate with a chance to break the game open. Instead, he grounded out to the pitcher as CSI maintained their three-run deficit.

Baruch starter Paul Perez had his best stuff early, holding the Dolphins scoreless through five and a third innings. Staten Island finally got on the board after 14 scoreless innings against the Bearcats when Frank Muzzio lined a double to right center to score Nick Delprete from second. The Baruch lead was cut to 3-1.

Baruch tacked on another insurance run when Matthew Ballone drilled an RBI double down the left field line. On the next play, Donovan Hunt hit a hard grounder to short, but Ballone was tagged out after a baserunning blunder to end the inning.

Staten Island manufactured another run in the bottom half of the 7th. After Paul Ciprello singled up the middle, Frank Sconzo bunted him over, and Bobby Drake drove him in with an RBI single.

CSI's Anthony Storz provided 5 and ? scoreless innings in relief of Manzi, giving the Dolphins a chance to chip away at the lead. They did just that in the bottom of the eighth.

Frank Smith led off the inning with a single, and Frank Muzzio lined a double just inside the right field line. Then, 2015 Rookie of the Year Glenn Glennerster made his first hit of the game a big one by drilling a single to left to score pinch runner Chris Moran. Glennerster stole second to put men on second and third, and Joe Palmeri grounded one to second that resulted in the game-tying run to cross home plate. Frank Sconzo was up next and broke the tie, lining a double down the right field line that barely stayed fair to drive in a pair and give the Dolphins a 6-4 lead. That proved to be the game-winning hit. Bobby Drake continued the rally, driving in a run with a single to left.

With the 7-4 lead, Mike Fitzpatrick of CSI induced a pair of lineouts and a pop up to end the game. He earned the win for his two innings of relief.

The victory forced a Game 7 between the two teams for the CUNYAC crown.