Poughkeepsie, NY - The Iona College Softball team returned to the field for the first time
on Saturday since its participation in the Rebel Spring Games. The
Gaels opened conference play against Marist in Poughkeepsie. The Red
Foxes proved too much as Iona fell in the doubleheader 3-2 and 1-0.
The Red Foxes (9-15, 2-0 MAAC) took the early advantage in the first game using the long ball. Jessica Green put a two-run shot over the right-field wall in the bottom of the first to make it 2-0 Marist. After a scoreless second inning for both teams, the Gaels (6-12, 0-2 MAAC) used a homerun of their own to pull within a run. Erin Kyle led-off the top of the third as she homered to left and it was 2-1. Marist added another run in the home half of the third. Megan Lamoureux singled and moved around the bases on a passed ball, a fielder's choice and crossed the plate on a Nicole DiVirgilio RBI single to make it 3-1.
The Maroon & Gold again were within a run in the top of the fourth. Melanie Hay and Rachelle Harris, MAAC Rookie of the Week, drew back-to-back one-out walks. Jaclyn Quinn reached on fielder's choice that pushed Hay to third base and a wild pitch found Quinn on second and Hay across the plate to score, but Iona pulled no closer.
Sarah Jackson, two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Week, took the loss with six innings of work, three runs, all earned, on three hits, with a strikeout.
In game two, both coaches got strong efforts from their starting pitchers. Deanne Algeo got the start for the Gaels and Caitlin Carpentier was out there for Marist. Through the first two and half innings, Algeo and Carpentier combined to allow no runs, three hits and five strikeouts. The game's lone run came in the bottom of the third. Marist got back-to-back singles to start the inning followed by a successful sacrifice to put the runners in scoring position. Green picked up another RBI as she put a single into center to score Mary Beth Pomes.
Carpentier pitched a complete game two-hitter with a walk and nine strikeouts. Algeo took the loss as she allowed just the one earned run on five hits, no walks and four strikeouts in six innings. At the plate, Algeo went 1-for-1 with a single and walk.
Iona continues its MAAC schedule with a double-header against Siena on Monday, March 30. First game is set for 2:30 pm in Loudonville.
