West Point, NY - Rookie OF Erin Kyle probably didn't think one of the biggest hits of
her career would come just seven games into the season at Iona
College. Down by three runs in the top of the seventh inning to Army
and with two runners on, Kyle hit a three-run home-run to left to tie
the game, a game the Gaels won 7-5. The Gaels (3-5) couldn't hold the
momentum from the win and fell 8-1 in game two.
The Gaels (3-5) went up early 2-0 as Kaitlin Calogera reached on an infield single and with two outs, 1B Lolli Mills brought her home with a two-run shot to left field. The Black Knights (3-8) jumped out in front scoring the games next five runs in the second, third and fourth innings. The Maroon and Gold were able to pick up just one hit over the next four innings against Army starter Veronica Barth, but once Barth left the hill the Gaels bats came alive.
With reliever Jessi Muckelroy in the game in the top of the seventh, RF Laura Hackimer reached on a bunt single followed by LF Paige Cauley blooping one into left. The Black Knights went to the bullpen and the first pitch thrown by reliever Elaine Plano was tattooed over the left field wall by Kyle for a three-run homer to tie the game at 5-5. The Gaels added another run to take the lead as Calogera tripled and crossed the plate on a Melanie Gettins RBI single. Army again went to the bullpen and Iona added another run as Gettins scored after advancing to third on a wild pitch and back-to-back singles by Jessica Horvath and Mills, who finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs, and it was 7-5 Iona. The inning ended on an unusual triple-play as after starter Becky Riccitelli popped out, the Black Knights threw out pinch-runner Tierney Markou and Mills.
Riccitelli exited the game with 6.0 innings, seven hits, five runs, two walks and five strikeouts. Reliever Amanda Berard recorded the first save of her collegiate career by striking out the side in the bottom on the seventh to preserve the victory.
In the second game, the Gaels appeared to carry the momentum from the game one victory scoring first. Calogera picked up her 10th hit of the season and fourth double and was brought home as the next batter, Gettins, placed a RBI single into left and advanced to second on an error to make it 1-0 Iona after a half inning. Army, though, responded in the bottom of the first with a pair of runs. The Black Knights and Gaels traded scoreless innings until the bottom the fourth where Army plated four runs on the way to a 8-1 victory. Calogera finished the game 2-for-3 with two hits, a run scored, and a stolen base.
The Iona College softball team heads south to take part in the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida beginning Sunday, March 16 against Yale.
