New Rochelle, NY - The Iona College baseball team dropped the opener of a three game series to Marist, 5-1, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at Salesian Field. The Red Foxes (7-12, 3-4 MAAC) two unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning put the game out of reach.

Marist got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning on an RBI ground out by 3B Kyle Meyer.

The Gaels (1-21, 1-6 MAAC) tied the score in the third inning as a well placed single to right field by senior CF Paul Salerno scored sophomore LF Andrew Passerelle from second base with two-out.

The Red Foxes scored the go ahead run in the top of the fifth inning. A lead off single by Meyer looked to be harmless after senior RHP Shane Sveda struck out the next two batters. Meyer stole second on the second punch out and was plated by LF Ryan Gauck's double into the gap.

In the seventh, Marist scored twice as a result of two straight errors by the Gaels. They would add their final run in the top of the ninth.

Salerno and junior SS Joe Lorenzo had two hits a piece in the loss. Lorenzo doubled twice while Salerno picked up his second hit on an bunt single back to the pitcher.

Sveda (0-4) found some hard luck in a tremendous effort. He struck out a career-high nine batters in 6.1 innings scattering 10 hits and allowing just two earned runs. He walked one batter. Senior RHP Shawn Walsh was effective in relief striking out three of the five batters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings.

Marist LHP Josh Rickards (2-3) earned the complete game win allowing five hits and striking out seven batters.

The series concludes tomorrow at Salesian field in a doubleheader scheduled for noon. The first game will be a seven-inning contest followed by the nine inning finale.