New Britain, CT- The Iona College baseball team withstood a five-run ninth inning rally by Central Connecticut in a 7-6 non-conference win over the Blue Devils at Balf-Savin Field. Junior DH Allie Abbatiello continued his torrid hitting over the last two days with a 3-for-5 effort including a two-run triple in the top of the first inning for the Gaels.
Abbatiello's triple in the first plated sophomore LF Keith Kenny (led off the game with a double) and rookie 2B Mike Walraven (reached on an error) accounted for the first two runs of the game. Abbatiello scored on an RBI by rookie 1B Andrew Passerelle.
The Gaels (13-27) tacked on three more in the top of the second to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Junior CF Paul Salerno led off the inning with a base hit and promptly stole his 10th base of the season. He was pushed to third by senior Nick Capowski and crossed the plate on an RBI single by Kenny. Two batters later, Abbatiello picked up his third RBI of the game with a single up the middle. With two out in the inning, sophomore SS Joe Lorenzo plated Walraven.
The Blue Devils (16-18) caught a run in the bottom of the sixth the only run in a remarkable performance by rookie RHP Dylan McCullough. McCullough (1-3) earned his first collegiate win tossing eight innings allowing five hits, the solo run while striking out three. The rookie battled back after a tough outing at Fordham a week ago.
Abbatiello scored what would turn out to be a critical run in the top of the ninth inning to round out Iona's scoring. Passerelle doubled to left center plating the junior DH who raced around from first for the eventual game winning tally.
Junior LHP Pat Curran came on to begin the ninth and allowed three straight hits before being relieved by closer Shawn Walsh. The junior RHP stranded the tying run on third base to earn his sixth save of the season and second in as many days.
In addition to Abbatiello's hot hitting, Kenny had his second straight multi-hit effort, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Salerno and fellow outfielder, freshman Chris Leahy each had two hits in the win.
Central Connecticut's Kyle Zartoney went 3-for-5 to lead his squad. Tommy Meade (0-1) took the loss.
Iona goes back to conference action this weekend when they take on Rider for a three-game set with the Broncs. The two teams square off on Saturday in a doubleheader slated to begin at 12:00 pm.
