Fairfield, CT - The Iona College softball team needed to sweep this afternoon's doubleheader to clinch a spot in the 2008 MAAC Championships. The Gaels (13-32, 7-9 MAAC) shutout the Fairfield in the opener 3-0 led by Mel Gettins two-RBI double. The Stags (24-23-1, 9-7 MAAC) pushed across a pair and held on for a 2-0 split.

The Gaels got off to a quick start in the opener as CF Erin Kyle led off with a single, but couldn't advance as Gettins popped up bunt. 3B Jess Horvath replaced Kyle on the basepaths reaching on fielder's choice and came home on 1B Lolli Mills' double to left to make it 1-0.

The lead extended to 3-0 as Iona added a pair in the third inning. SS Amanda Glaser drew a lead-off walk and Kyle picked up her second hit with an infield single. Gettins moved up and plated both runners with a hard hit double and it was 3-0.

RHP starter Becky Riccitelli pitched her a complete game shutout with just three hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. She also stranded seven baserunners. Kyle finished 3-for-4 with a run scored while Gettins went 1-for-4 with her two RBI.

In the second game, the teams were locked in a pitcher's duel through the first four innings. Gaels' starter RHP Katie Jo Passero allowed just one hit, three walks and a had a strikeout through 3.1 innings. She stranded two runners and worked a 1-2-3 second inning. Stags' starter Kelli Panter allowed just one hit through the first four innings had 1-2-3 innings of her own.

The Maroon & Gold had a chance to crack the scoreboard in the fifth as 2B Paige Cauley singled through the left side and LF Courtney Christie reached on a fielder's choice and Cauley was safe at second after an error by third base. The runners were left stranded though and the game remained scoreless. The Stags got the only runs of the ballgame in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on three hits including two RBI singles to take a 2-0 lead.

Iona had two more chances to plate runs with runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh inning, but couldn't push the runners across falling 2-0. Kyle continued her strong afternoon going 2-for-4, Cauley went 2-for-3 and Gettins and Christie each went 1-for-3.

The Gaels and first year Head Coach Jaime Wohlbach finished the season a win shy of qualifying for the MAAC Championship with a record of 13-32 and 7-9 in conference. Iona had a .500 record (5-5 ) at their new home, Rice Oval, which opened this season.