Stony Brook, NY- Sophomore OF
Keith Kenny recorded his first collegiate home run in the fourth inning and scored the eventual game winning run in the top of the seventh as the Iona College baseball team out lasted Stony Brook in non-conference action this afternoon at University Field. Junior
Allie Abbatiello homered twice in the win, his first collegiate multi-home run contest.
The Gaels (12-27) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning, all three runs were of the unearned variety. Freshman 1B
Andrew Passerelle scored on a wild pitch to open the scoring. Classmate CF
Chris Leahy crossed the plate on an error by the Seawolf third baseman. Senior 3B
Nick Capowski also came home in the inning on a second wild pitch.
Stony Brook (22-18) cut the deficit to a run with two tallies in the bottom of the the third. The Maroon & Gold quickly regained a two-run cushion on a solo shot by Kenny over the left field fence in the next half inning. Abbatiello homered for the first time in the fifth inning as the Gaels took a 5-2 lead.
The home team got the run back in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore Michael Tansey doubled home junior Brian Witkowski with two men down.
The Seawolves would tie the score in the sixth, chasing starter RHP
John Kassebaum after 5.1 innings.
It was a shortly held tie score as Iona took the lead for good in the seventh. With Passerelle at the plate, the rookie infielder hit a ball to Tansey in right field that was misplayed for an error. Kenny scored the go-ahead run as the lead was 6-5.
A key insurance run in the ninth inning came off the bat of Abbatiello in the form of his second home run of the contest.
Junior closer
Shawn Walsh tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the year.
Junior RHP
Shane Sveda (1-1) earned the win in relief with 2.2 innings of work, he allowed two hits and struck out three batters. Kassebaum was effective for his fourth straight appearance with eight hits, five runs (four earned), a walk and a strikeout in his second collegiate start.
Abbatiello and Kenny had two hits and two runs a piece in the win.
Stony Brook junior LHP Mike Gionesi (1-2) took the loss in relief.
The Gaels are back in action tomorrow afternoon at Central Connecticut.
