NEW YORK – Rutgers-Newark rallied from a six-run deficit in game one to earn a non-conference split with the College of Staten Island at the CSI Softball Complex. The Scarlet Raiders took the opener, 8-7, with the Dolphins posting a 5-1 decision in the nightcap on a cold and windy day.

BOX SCORES & PLAY-BY-PLAY
Rutgers-Newark 8, Staten Island 7
Staten Island 5, Rutgers-Newark 1

In game one, freshman shortstop Stacey Jacovinich, who ripped a two-run double to cap a four-run fifth inning to tie the score at 7-7, doubled down the leftfield line and scored on a two-out single by freshman pinch hitter Gabby Spinella in the top of the seventh to stun the Dolphins (6-6).

The Raiders (4-8) piled up 12 hits with senior centerfielder Jessica Zelaya going three for four while freshman third baseman AJ Affholter and freshman rightfielder Tiara Santi joined Jacovinich with two hits apiece.

Zelaya, who scored on a double by sophomore first baseman Monica Bagan in the first, hammered a home run to leftfield to lead off the third.

Affholter doubled to lead off the fourth and scored on a two-out single by Santi before stroking a two-run bases loaded single to ignite the fifth inning outburst.

Sophomore righty Angela Riscinti (3-3) got the win, going the distance while yielding nine hits and four walks against four strikeouts.

In game two, CSI junior pitcher Michelle Ferraiuolo limited the Raiders to five singles.

Spinella was the only Raider with two hits while Zelaya, freshman shortstop Carrie Wan and sophomore pinch hitter Nicole Odell notched the other singles.

Freshman Brianna Alicchio (0-4) took the loss, giving up all five runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two. Rookie Liane Drastal gave up a two-run single to the first batter she faced in relief in the bottom of the sixth before getting the final two outs.

Rutgers-Newark hosts Stevens at 5 p.m. on Tuesday on Alumni Field in a non-conference doubleheader.