New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College softball team concluded its weekend and went 3-1 with a split on Sunday afternoon against Rider. A three-run home run by Jessica Horvath and great relief by Amanda Berard gave Iona (12-31, 6-8 MAAC) a 5-4 win. In game two, the Broncs (12-30, 4-8 MAAC) scored a run late as Iona was edged 2-1.

The Gaels led-off the game with back-to-back singles by CF Erin Kyle and C Mel Gettins. After a ground out pushed them into scoring position, 1B Lolli Mills drove them in and it was 2-0 Iona. Senior starter Katie Jo Passero started off strong, but Rider took the lead with three runs on three hits and drove her from the game. She finished with 2.1 innings, three runs, two earned, and five hits. Berard came on with the bases loaded and got the final two outs of the inning including a strikeout for the final out to leave them loaded.

The Broncs lead held until the bottom of the fifth inning. Kyle drew a two-out walk and Gettins reached on an error by the second baseman. The next batter, Horvath, drilled an 0-2 pitch deep to center for a three-run shot and Iona went back up, 5-3. Rider got within a run in the top of the seventh, but Berard again shut the door and stranded a pair as the Gaels held on for a 5-4 win.

Berard pitched 4.2 innings, one run, unearned, on three hits, and five strikeouts. Kyle went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI and Gettins also scored twice and finished the game 2-for-3.

Between the games, head coach Jaime Wohlbach honored the program's four seniors: SS Amanda Glaser, 1B Lolli Mills, RHP Katie Jo Passero and RHP Becky Riccitelli.

After the festivities, the Gaels got behind Riccitelli, the game two starter. She struck-out seven and allowed a run and three hits in the first three innings. Iona tied the game in the bottom of the third as Kyle drove in RF Laura Hackimer on a sacrifice fly.

Riccitelli added two more strikeouts over the next two innings, worked a 1-2-3 fourth and didn't allow a Broncs' runner past second base. Rider took its second lead of the game on a RBI single in the top of the sixth to make it 2-1 and held on for the win. Riccitelli pitched a complete game with two earned on eight hits and nine strikeouts. Kyle finished the game 2-for-2 and Amanda Glaser went 1-for-2.

The Gaels close out 2008 non-conference play and its home schedule with a doubleheader against Sacred Heart at Rice Oval on Tuesday, April 29. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00pm.